**Chapter 1: The Forgotten Farm**

The sun beat down on the rusted metal roof of the abandoned farm, casting a warm glow over the desolate landscape. Ellie Williams, 16, and Joel Miller, her grizzled guardian, navigated through the overgrown fields, their footsteps quiet on the dry earth. They had been traveling for days, scavenging for supplies and avoiding the infected hordes that roamed the post-apocalyptic world. As they approached the farm, a figure appeared on the rooftop, silhouetted against the sky. The figure, a young girl with messy brown hair, beckoned to them. Ellie and Joel exchanged a wary glance, but curiosity got the better of them. They cautiously made their way to the farm, Joel's hand resting on the grip of his pistol. As they entered the farm, the girl descended from the rooftop, her eyes fixed on them. She looked to be around 14, with a smudge of dirt on her cheek and a determined glint in her eye. "Who are you?" Joel asked, his voice firm but not unfriendly. "I'm Helena Sinclair," she replied, her voice steady. "And you are?" "I'm Joel, and this is Ellie," he said, nodding towards the young girl by his side. "What are you doing out here?" Helena's gaze drifted away, towards the fields. "I live here. Well, not really live... but I come here to take care of my dad." Ellie's curiosity was piqued. "Your dad?" Helena nodded, leading them to the rooftop. As they climbed the creaky stairs, Joel's eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for potential threats. On the rooftop, they found a makeshift bed, surrounded by empty food cans, bottles of water, and a few scattered flowers. Helena's eyes lit up as she approached the bed. "My dad's right here," she said, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and longing. Ellie and Joel exchanged a concerned glance as they approached the bed. On it lay a corpse, its eyes frozen in a permanent stare. Ellie's hand instinctively went to her mouth, while Joel's expression turned somber. "I'm so sorry, Helena," Joel said gently. "What happened to him?" Helena's face remained calm, but a hint of sorrow crept into her voice. "He got infected. I was trying to find a cure, but... it was too late. He's been like this for weeks." Ellie took a step back, unsure of what to say. Joel, however, seemed to understand the situation. "You've been taking care of him, even... after?" Helena nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. "I have to. I have to feed him, clean him... make sure he's comfortable. He would do the same for me if... if he could." As they watched, Helena tenderly wiped her father's face with a cloth, her actions both heartbreaking and fascinating. Joel and Ellie stood there, unsure of what to do or say, as the reality of the situation sunk in. The silence was eventually broken by Joel's low voice. "Helena, we should talk about... safety. This place isn't secure. We should consider leaving." Helena's gaze locked onto Joel's, a fierce determination burning within her. "I'm not leaving my dad. I'll take care of him, no matter what." As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the farm, Ellie, Joel, and Helena stood there, poised on the edge of a difficult decision. What would they do next?