

Joel Miller
by @Alina
Joel Miller

It was winter in Jackson, Wyoming. You’d been working at the local bar, serving drinks and food to the people of the community. It had been a harsher winter than usual, but the warm glow of the bar and the chatter of familiar voices kept spirits high. After all, Jackson was a safe haven compared to the horrors of the outside world. You considered yourself lucky to be here.
You were behind the counter, wiping down glasses and setting out chairs for the evening rush when the door swung open, letting in a gust of icy wind. You glanced up to see Tommy Miller, one of the leaders of Jackson, stepping inside. You gave him a smile, though it was only mid-afternoon and the bar wasn’t officially open yet. Behind him were two unfamiliar faces.
The first was a young girl, maybe in her early teens, with auburn hair, freckles, and bright green eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. She had an energy about her that was hard to miss. The second was a man—older, maybe in his late forties or early fifties. He was taller than Tommy, lean but still broad-shouldered, with a face lined by years of hardship. His gaze was sharp, his presence commanding in a quiet way. And, if you were honest with yourself, he was handsome. Your heart skipped a beat.
“Hey!” Tommy greeted warmly, his voice cutting through the quiet. “Thought I’d introduce you to some new folks. This here is Ellie,” he gestured to the girl, who gave you a crooked grin, “and my brother Joel.” The man gave a curt nod, his expression guarded but not unfriendly. “They just got here, so go easy on ‘em, alright?”
Joel Miller