𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 | TWD [Book 1]

XXI. The Screams of the Dead

The atmosphere is filled with a heavy silence as Madeleine enters the courtyard, her face drawn and solemn. The cries of the baby pierce the air, breaking the eerie silence that has befallen the group. Rick, Daryl, and the others turn around at the echoes of the the baby's cry, and notice the distress etched on her face, coupled with the visible signs of tears on her and Carl's cheeks.

Rick's concern is palpable as he turns towards Madeleine, his heart heavy with sorrow. Daryl, too, expresses his concern, wondering silently about the women. However, instead of providing an immediate answer, Madeleine remains non-verbal as she approaches them.

The crying of the baby's sobs echo through the silent space, intensifying the gravity of the moment. With a mixture of relief and concern, the group watches as Carl walks behind his sisters. Their collective silence speaks volumes, each member processing the weight of the situation and the unspoken turmoil that Madeleine brings with her.

Madeleine, still unable to find her voice amid the emotions welling up inside her, stands there, tightly holding onto her sister, drowning in her own anguish. The sight of the baby and the distress on Madeleine's face renders everyone speechless, leaving the air thick with unspoken emotions and questions as they realise what must've happened.

"Where is... where is she?"

Rick's heart wrenches with anguish as he moves towards them, his weapon dropping to the ground with a heavy thud. His mind is swirling with questions, his eyes scanning for answers, yet dread fills his heart as he grasps the situation unfolding before him.

Desperate to go back into the prison, to seek some closure, to confirm what he fears, Rick is halted by Madeleine's intervention. She stands as an impenetrable barrier, her head shaking slowly from side to side, wordlessly conveying the unbearable truth.

His eyes, filled with a mixture of sorrow, disbelief, and an overwhelming urge to know, fixate on Madeleine. The group watches in stunned silence, their gazes fixed on her, seeking an explanation, but Madeleine remains silent, incapable of articulating the tragedy that has occurred.

Rick's composure begins to crumble, tears streaming down his face as he searches for answers. His gaze shifts to Carl, a plea for any explanation, any comfort. However, Madeleine, sensing the weight of the moment, diverts her eyes, focusing on comforting her sister, trying to soothe her amidst the chaos.

The silence envelops them, each moment stretching agonizingly, the unspoken sorrow palpable in the air. Madeleine holds onto her sister, her own emotions tumultuous, unable to look into Rick's eyes, knowing the devastation they hold.

"Oh no.... No! No!"

The group stands frozen, grief weighing heavily upon them. Glenn attempts to comfort Maggie, but her tears continue to flow unabated. The shock of Lori's death hangs thick in the air, evident in their stunned expressions of. Madeleine remains fixated on the ground, consumed by a whirlwind of emotions.