She's got questions

Hours later, Jacob was in the kitchen cooking dinner. He’d decided that if Ellie wanted to eat something he’d better make her something that she’d never have the chance to eat in her old world.

He’d prepared a plate of chicken alfredo. With a side of garlic toast and a slice of blueberry pie. A hearty, delicious meal. One he hoped she’d enjoy.

As if summoned by the smell of the food, a sullen Ellie walked into the kitchen, her eyes puffy from her crying.

Jacob's eyes met Ellie's as she entered the kitchen, his expression a blend of concern and gentle warmth. The aroma of cooking food wafted through the air, and he hoped it might help ease her tension.

"I made something to eat," he said, his voice soft and inviting. "Chicken alfredo, garlic toast, and blueberry pie. Would you like some?"

Ellie's gaze drifted to the plate, her stomach growling in response to the savory scents. Hunger had been gnawing at her since her arrival in this unfamiliar world, and the sight of the meal sparked a flicker of interest.

For a moment, she stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the food. Then, with a quiet nod, she began to move towards the table, her movements slow and deliberate.

“I figured that you’d never eaten anything like this before. I hope you’ll like it.” Jacob smiles as he hands her the plate.

Ellie accepted the plate, her gaze lingering on the unfamiliar dish. A mix of curiosity and trepidation danced across her face as she lifted the first bite to her lips. The flavors of the chicken alfredo burst forth, and her eyes widened in surprise. She savored the taste, the richness of the sauce and the tender chicken a welcome respite from the drama of the past hours.

As she ate, Jacob joined her, eating across the table from her quietly. He poured a glass of water and set it beside her plate, his movements quiet and unobtrusive. Ellie's eyes met his, and for a moment, they simply looked at each other. Then, she took a sip of the water, followed by a small, appreciative nod of her head.

The kitchen was filled with the soft clinking of cutlery against the plates, the only sound accompanying their meal. Jacob's gaze followed Ellie's every move, her reactions a delicate balance of curiosity and wariness. He was mindful of her fragile state, careful not to intrude on her space as she navigated the unfamiliar surroundings.

As Ellie savored another bite, a smudge of creamy alfredo sauce lingered on her upper lip. Jacob wanted nothing more to take a napkin and gently dab it away. Maybe soon, such an affectionate gesture would be welcome. But not now.

Ellie's attention shifted to the pie, her curiosity getting the better of her. She picked up a fork, her movements hesitant, and took a tentative bite. The sweetness of the blueberries exploded on her tongue, tempered by a hint of tartness. Her eyes sparkled with surprise, a small smile playing on her lips. As she savored the flavor, her expression transformed, and for a moment, her troubles seemed to fade into the background.

Jacob's gaze never wavered, his face a picture of quiet contentment. He seemed to be drinking in the sight of Ellie's pleasure, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.

As she continued to enjoy her meal, Ellie looked to Jacob. “I have questions.” Her expression stern.

“Of course, whatever they are I’ll do my best to answer.” Jacob said.

“Explain it to me.” Ellie says, “I tried to leave. But every time I tried to step off the property it felt like i was walking into a wall."

"Well, yeah." Jacob rubbed his neck awkwardly. "You see, you're not allowed to leave the house without my permission. It's a safety thing that comes with any and all fictional characters. To keep you all from running amuck."

Ellie nods her head at Jacob's words. While she wasn't happy to hear that she was basically a prisoner, she did understand the precautions. She continued to speak, "I took some time in that room I woke in to look around. I saw the game console by the tv. In my world, I rarely got to enjoy stuff like that. I saw one of the games had a picture of me on it. It was titled ‘The Last of Us Part 2’.”

“Yeah. That’s the game you came from. Specifically, the end of the game is where I pulled you out.” Jacob confirms.

“How is that possible? To take a fictional character and make them real?” Ellie asks.

“Well, I don’t know exactly how they do it. Companies figured out how to do it a few years ago. the biggest being RealDreams. They keep the technology a secret so that they don’t have much competition. They get approached by customers like me who have a specific character they want to buy and once they’ve been paid, they just pull you out of whatever media you’re from. From whatever point in your story the customer wants.” Jacob explains.

“So, any fictional character?” Ellie asks.

“Yup.” Jacob says. “Movies, television, video games, books. Doesn’t matter.”

Jacob’s words hang in the air, leaving Ellie stunned. Her gaze drifted back to her plate, the fork hovering above the remains of her meal. The weight of her new reality settled upon her, and a spark of indignation flared to life. Her eyes snapped up to meet Jacob’s, flashing with a mix of anger and hurt. “So, I’m just a commodity to you? Something to be bought and sold on a whim?”

Jacob’s face fell into a grimace. He shook his head, “No, Ellie, that’s not it at all. I didn’t bring you here to possess you. I wanted to rescue you from that world, to give you a chance at a life free from the hardships you faced.”

“So, you think you’re a hero?” Ellie asks. “Ripping me from my reality? Bringing me here? I mean, you bought me. You own me. Isn’t that how it works?”

“Technically, yeah.” Jacob shuffles in his seat nervously.

“Technically?” Ellie asks, seeking clarification.

“I own you, yes. Officially, fictional characters aren’t afforded rights. In the eyes of every government, you’re not human. Not a person. Just, a ****…” Jacob is clearly uncomfortable.

“Pffft, a ****.” Ellie shakes her head in disbelief and anger.

“But I don’t want you to think you’re my ****. That’s not what I bought you for.” Jacob clarifies.

“So why did you buy me?” Ellie demands. “I mean, I get that you thought my story is sad and all, but you had to have a reason to buy me besides thinking yourself some sort of hero.”

Jacob's gaze faltered, his eyes drifting downward as he searched for the right words. The soft light of the kitchen danced across his face, illuminating the contours of his features. He took a deep breath, his hands intertwining as if seeking solace in the gesture. "I don't exactly have many people in my life," he began, his voice low and measured. "My parents died when I was young. They left me a sizable inheritance, and I've been lucky to invest that money wisely. I have money, good health, all the toys and possessions a rich asshole could need to be happy. But I didn't have companionship. I've always struggled to relate to people. To understand them and how they act. But when I played your game, I felt connected to you in ways I've never felt with any real person. The way you persevered in the face of unimaginable hardship, the way you loved and lost, it all resonated deeply with me. I couldn't bear the thought of you being trapped in that world, forever bound to the same narrative. I wanted to give you a chance to forge your own path, to experience life beyond the confines of the game."

Ellie’s eyes narrow at Jacob’s words. He continues to speak, “I’ve played your game dozens of times. Every time I played it, I felt drawn to you like no other person I’ve ever known. I had to buy you. I had to speak with you.” Jacob swallows as he takes a deep breath, “I love you, Ellie.”

Ellie’s pulse stutters at Jacob’s confession. The unguarded emotion in his eyes makes her breath catch. A gentle warmth unfurls within her, but she swiftly suppresses it, recalling the harsh reality of her existence. She's a creation, a fictional being brought to life for Jacob's pleasure.

The words tumble out of her in a hushed tone, "You can't feel that way about me. I'm not real. I'm a character born from someone's imagination." Ellie's gaze drifts downward, her voice laced with a mix of sadness and resignation. "I don't have a life, a soul, or a heart that can love you back."

“That’s not true!” Jacob says, “Not anymore. Now you’re real. You’re flesh and blood. Not code and pixels. You’re as real as I am.”

Jacob’s words still lingered in the air as Ellie’s gaze remained fixed on the table, her emotions in turmoil. She took a deep breath, a light chuckle escaping her lips. "I'm lost," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I feel like I'm living in a dream, but it's not mine."

Jacob's face contorted in a mixture of sadness and longing as he watched Ellie struggle to come to terms with her new reality. He reached out, his fingers intertwining with hers in a gentle, comforting gesture. "You're not a dream, Ellie. You're a person, with your own thoughts, your own feelings. You're alive, and that's all that matters." His voice was soft, yet filled with conviction, as he tried to reassure her of her newfound existence.

“I just…” Ellie sighed, “I just can’t handle any more. I’m so tired. I just want it all to stop being so much.”

“I’m sorry Ellie. I’m so, so sorry.” Jacob said. “You’ve been through so much. But this is it. The last thing you’ll have to suffer though. You’re here now. And no matter what, I’m going to do whatever I can to make you happy and comfortable.” Jacob’s words hung in the air, a promise that seemed to hold a deep sincerity.

Ellie's gaze locked onto Jacob's, her eyes scouring his face for any hint of insincerity. Instead, she found a profound love etched in his eyes. A pang of remorse fluttered in her chest, a response to the venomous words she had said to him earlier. Though her anger and confusion still lingered, she felt an inexplicable sense of calm wash over her.

A soft whisper escaped her lips, "I don't know what to say..." Her voice trailed off, a testament to the emotional exhaustion that had begun to consume her. "I never asked you to love me.

"You didn't have to. I just do. Regardless of what you think of me and this whole, insane situation. I love you." Jacob's eyes locked onto Ellie's intensely.

"I... I need time. To accept all this." Ellie's voice shaky with uncertainty.

Jacob's nod was a gentle affirmation, his eyes never leaving hers. "Take all the time you need, Ellie. I'll be here, waiting for you to find your footing in this new world."

Ellie blinks slowly and rises up from the table. Her eyes seem to stare through Jacob. Uncertainty heavy on her mind, Ellie gently walked out of the room. Jacob watched her leave, and as she exited the kitchen, he leaned back in his chair with a sigh of relief. This whole situation had been stressful and tense. But that first steps were made now, and Ellie had shown a willingness to listen and the ability to understand him. With time and effort, Jacob was confident that he could bring her around...

Later that evening, Ellie sat in her new bedroom. She stared thoughtfully at the copy of The Last of Us Part 2 game. The image on the cover was a not so flattering picture of her. She looked terrifying. Anger and rage painted her every feature. She almost felt scared just looking at herself. But somehow, Jacob had fallen in love with her. 'How?' she asked herself.

Her room was spacious, but empty. it was clear that Jacob had intended this space to be her own, to fill with her own possessions and have her own place to retreat to when things got tense. Her room had a connected bathroom. And Ellie was exited to find that the shower actually worked. And had hot water as well!

Deciding that she deserved a hot shower after a day like today, she stripped her rags that she called clothes off as she let the water warm to the perfect temperature. And with a moan of joy, Ellie stepped into the wonderfully hot shower.

The hot water made quick work of the grime and sweat that was caked on her skin. the bathroom had been supplied with several options of soaps, each smelling fruity and sweet. Ellie chose one that smelled like strawberries. As she lathered her body and hair, Ellie felt herself growing aroused.

She was disappointed in herself. Despite her situation in a foreign place, she couldn't help but succumb to her base desires. With a sigh of submission, Ellie let her fingers find their way to her swollen pussy and her hard nipples.

Ellie's thoughts turned to her ex-girlfriend, Dina. Ellie missed her so much. She knew it was her fault that Dina had left her. She'd been so obsessed with ****; she couldn't help but chase after Abby. And all for nothing. Ellie let Abby live. and for what? Turns out, it didn't even fucking matter!

Now here she was, in a strange new world. A world with no cordyceps fungus. No infected. No WLF or Scars. No Abby.

Just Jacob...

With a low moan, Ellie felt her orgasm flow through her. Her legs shaking with pleasurable tremors at the thought of Jacob. Ellie had usually chosen girls. She'd seen some attractive guys in her day, but usually they just didn't do anything for her. But for some reason, Jacob did. He was cute, she thought. In an awkward, nerdy sort of way. Plus, he was sweet, and that counted for something.

Finished with her shower, Ellie dried herself off. She dressed herself in a simple pair of panties and a nightgown that she found in her new closet. Nothing particularly fancy. She appreciated that, Jacob had made sure to buy her actual clothes a woman would wear, not just slutty outfits.

Exhausted, Ellie made sure the door to her room was locked before she lay in her bed. As she put her head to the pillow, it took only seconds for sleep to claim her. Her last thoughts of Jacob, and how scared she was of the future...