𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 | TWD [Book 1]

LIV. The Realm of Grief

In the realm of emotions, anger takes center stage, an unyielding torrent that surges through the grieving heart. Every beat echoes with the pain of a wound that feels too deep to ever heal. Following closely in the footsteps of anger is sorrow, an overwhelming wave that crashes over the grieving heart. The ache becomes a haunting melody, the soul's lament for what once was.

As Madeleine stands alongside Sasha, they keenly observe the members of their group dispersing to their assigned positions, following the orders given for a comprehensive around-the-clock watch.

In the midst of this, Carl approaches his sister with an exuberant smile. "Missed me, Mads?" he grins, his optimism cutting through the tension.

Madeleine playfully scolds him while snatching the hat off his head. "Where the hell were you?" she teases, her tone laced with a playful reproach. She tousles his hair affectionately before carefully settling the hat back in its place. "I got here yesterday, and I didn't see you."

Carl looks down, a hint of embarrassment coloring his features. "I was with Enid."

Madeleine, seizing the opportunity, smiles playfully. "Oh yeah?"

"Don't," Carl asserts with a pointed expression, his teenage defiance evident. "I already have Esperanza teasing me about spending time with her; I don't need you to do the same."

"It's our job as your sisters," Madeleine counters, a playful glint in her eye. She notices the sly smile on Sasha's face, the woman recalling her own experiences when Tyreese met her first boyfriend. "Sasha and I are making sure the people on watch know what to do. You can help while Enid is nowhere in sight."

"Shut up!" Laughter ensues as they stroll around the community, Sasha following behind them. "Cool necklace." Carl gestures towards Madeleine's unique trinket dangling around her neck. "I feel like that's between him and you... hopefully, you'll tell the rest of us soon," he remarks, his tone a quiet whisper carrying an understanding that transcends spoken words.

In a hushed tone, Madeleine responds, maintaining the conversation from Sasha's ears. "I'm surprised you didn't notice it sooner, Esperanza did."

Carl counters with a knowing look, "And I'm surprised you didn't do it sooner." His gaze shifts downward, eventually settling on their sister. "Now, I think you're going to have to stop teasing me, and start doing it to her."

Amidst the collective effort to build the wall, Esperanza walks over to Freya, her hands carrying a bottle of water. The rhythmic sounds of construction form a backdrop as the two siblings observe them, their turn to keep watch on the walls still awaiting them.

Freya accepts the offered water bottle with a grateful smile, the cool condensation a refreshing contrast to the warmth of their labor. Taking a generous gulp, she relishes the momentary respite, and Esperanza stands alongside her, an unspoken camaraderie binding their shared efforts.