𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 | TWD [Book 1]

XXIV. The Road Back to Each Other

In the shadows of the prison, Madeleine stood watch over Rick, her eyes following his erratic pacing. Nearby, Michonne stood sentinel by the gates, a silent observer of the tense atmosphere. Glenn approached, finding Madeleine's distant demeanor apparent, her arms crossed and a haunted look etched across her features.

"Hey," Glenn greets cautiously, noticing the weight of worry shadowing Madeleine's expression. "How's your father?"

Madeleine's gaze drifts back to Rick, a slight shrug of her shoulders betraying the gravity of Rick's deteriorating mental state. "He's losing it."

Glenn sighs, both of them watching Rick in concern. "Have you spoken to him about it?"

Shaking her head, Madeleine turns to face Glenn, her demeanor firm. "We don't have time for it. We have things we need to talk about. We have to prepare for this governor to retaliate." She asserts, adversely glancing back at her father. "Rick just needs time."

Glenn swallows hard, recognizing the impending threat of the Governor and the need for strategic planning. He knows Madeleine is the one capable of voluntarily walking into hell and get the devil to beg for his life. "Are you taking charge while he's... not well?"

"Yeah, I will," Madeleine confirms resolutely.

"Are we going after them if they don't come here?" Glenn queries, his thoughts clouded by the Governor's atrocities.

Madeleine arches an eyebrow, recognizing Glenn's thirst for vengeance. "Glenn, I know you want to kill him for what he did to Maggie, I want to hurt him too, but we have to be rational and strategic. You're angry, I get it, but you have to think about the whole group, not just yourself."

Glenn falls silent at her words, his rage tempered by her practical reasoning. Their attention shifts back to Rick, lost in his internal turmoil, as Madeleine contemplates the impending storm. She knows what needs to be done until he snaps back to reality, but she hopes he'll be back to himself before they head into the war.

Amidst the simmering tension, Glenn's smile barely masks the turmoil within him. "I never thought I'd hear you say those words. You used to be all about Carl. What changed?"

"Everything has changed." Madeleine whispers softly, turning away and heading inside the cell block with Glenn trailing close behind her.

"Whatever happens... we can't run." Glenn emphasizes, clenching his fists as Madeleine nods firmly in agreement.

"We won't! This is our place, and we're not leaving," she asserts, leading Glenn into the cell block and securing the entrance behind them. "Listen up, everyone!" Her voice rings out, drawing the attention of those inside the cells, who start to gather around.

"Hold up, where did you said you found Tyreese's group?" Glenn inquires, picking up a rock and sketching a map of the prison on the ground while the others watch. Maggie stands back, arms crossed, observing the scene.