𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 | TWD [Book 1]

XLVII. The Brigde of an Endless Storm

With a weary hand shielding her eyes from the glare, she continues her solitary trek, scanning the desolate landscape ahead. A sudden growling noise punctuates the silence, causing her to halt abruptly. She turns, detecting the approaching walker with a resigned sigh escapes her lips, an audible manifestation of her fatigue, yet she continues onward, her focus fixed on the trail of footprints etched into the soil.

Though the growling persists behind her, she presses on as fatigue begins to wear on her, evident in the slight drag of her steps. Another walker's growl draws her attention, diverting her gaze toward a nearby tree, before the walker crumples to the ground.

Madeleine's eyes lock with Maggie's, who has taken refuge near a tree, tears cascading down her cheeks. Madeleine steels herself, striding purposefully toward her. As she gazes down at Maggie, her expression softens, understanding the anguish etched across the woman's face.

Maggie's tear-streaked countenance transforms into a blend of sorrow and frustration. The outpouring of empathy and understanding seems to incense Maggie further, "I just want to be alone," Maggie declares with a tremble in her voice.

"Okay." Madeleine responds as she settles herself down, making it clear she's there if needed but Maggie remains reticent. "I've been a terrible friend," Madeleine begins softly and she looks at Maggie, the ache of remorse evident in her eyes. "I should've done more."

Maggie sniffs, laying her head down on Madeleine's shoulder. "I don't want to hear it," she murmurs, tears welling up in her eyes.

"You know damn well I'm not going to say anything that'll console you, I don't know how." She pauses, watching as more tears cascade down Maggie's cheeks. "I want you to know you might've lost your blood family, but we're your family, too," Maggie looks up at Madeleine, her eyes reflecting a blend of sorrow and gratitude. "I'm just sorry I couldn't have done more," Madeleine says, her voice laced with regret.

Maggie angrily, standing up from the ground, her tone marked with a hint of frustration as she roughly wipes her tears away. "I'm your friend, that's why you're saying... nice things. I need you to say it." Madeleine furrows her brow, confusion etched on her face as she rises from the ground, her gaze meets Maggie's tear-stricken eyes. "Say it! She won't be the last person I'll lose, I have to suck it up and move on, I am weak and I shouldn't be crying. I should turn this pain into anger and strength. Don't hold back! Tell me! TELL ME!"

There's a heavy silence between them, before Madeleine speaks up, her voice soft yet carrying the weight of unfamiliar emotions. "I don't want to tell you 'cause it'd torture you, and you're doing that to yourself already."

Maggie's tears continue to flow, her anguish palpable as she grapples with her emotions. "How do you do it?" she implores, her voice laden with raw vulnerability. "You've lost your mother. You've lost Lori. You've been through some things and I know you've lost more people, how do you do it?"