Survive ( twd carlgrimes)

Chapter 24 & 25

I walk into the sitting room, past Judith's cot and tip-toe over everybody who has set up a bed on the floor for the night.
Abraham is sprawled out massively on the couch. I roll my eyes.
I take a spot on the sitting room floor but I stay sitting up, thinking of me and dads disagreement.

Maggie soon walks from the kitchen to the sitting room, just like I had. Instead of finding Glenn, she sits next to me.
I turn to Maggie, confused.
"So, What did the two of you really talk about? Or was there any talking?" She laughs.
I shake my head. "What are you talking about?"

Maggie shakes her head as if I'm missing something obvious.
"You and Madison."
I sigh. "What about us?"
"You like her."
"Sure. She's alright."
Maggie laughs. "No, you like her-like her."
I scoff. "What are you, five?"
"Stop avoiding."

"This is ridiculous." I lie down on the ground and close my eyes, ignoring her attempts to pull me back up beside her.
"No, it's not. Just admit it, you like her."
"No."
"No, you won't admit it or no, you don't like her?"
"Maggie! Jesus, go away! I'm trying to sleep!" I snap loudly and someone from the other side of the room shushes me.

"Don't act dumb. Michonne, Beth and I have noticed. The boys just aren't observant enough to see it. Jeez, maybe you dont even know it." She laughs.

"She's a friend. Thats all. End of discussion." I say, trying my best to sound convincing.
"I'm not buying it. You spend all your time with her and when your dad talked about her and her family, you were so defensive."
I roll my eyes. "Not for the reasons you think." At least this part is true, kinda.

"So, go on tell me all about her... You like her." She teases
"You realize you sound like the corny, gossip queen bitch from every movie ever made, right?" I snap.
"Ugh! I'll get it out of you tomorrow." She groans.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night Maggie." I mutter as she gets up and walks away. I turn over on my side and shut my eyes again.

I feel myself drifting into sleep when and loud whisper wakes me.
"PSST! psst! Maddie!"
"Madison!" She calls again.
I guess the both of them are in the upstairs hall. I open my eyes and look around the dark room. Nobody else seems to be listen. Everyone is asleep.

I groan as I get to my feet and as the calling gets louder I creep towards the bottom of the stairs.
"What? Keep it down! Everyone is asleep." Madison's voice flashes back rudely.
Her mother's voices comes out quieter now and I have to strain to hear them.

Even though I know it's wrong, I can't help my curiosity. My feet lead me halfway up the stairs until I can just see the tops of Madison and her moms head through the banisters upstairs.
Madison is standing outside Nicks room and her mother stands outside the room next to it. They keep a careful distance.

A deep frown is etched into Madison's face but her mom just looks to the ground.
This can't be good.
"Madison." Her mom calls again.
"I don't feel like talking."

Madison walks towards the stairs and I duck but she's caught in her tracks as her mother leans towards her. I can't see whats happening but when I hear a sharp smack I'm almost sure that Madison has slapped her mother's hand off her.

Madison glares at her mother before turning around and walking towards the stairs again.
I have to kneel down or she'll see me spying on her.
God, I'm such a creep.
Why am I even here?
Why should I care what happens here?

"Madison" she calls her again.
"What mother? What could you possibly say right now that could make anything better?" Madison is right up in her face.
Her mother takes one step backwards to put space between them which was a wise idea.
"Maddie, I, I'm sorry.... I dont know what else to say...what else can I say?" She stutters
"Sorry doesn't change all that you've done to this family. Theres nothing you can say or do to change my mind about you." Madison spits.
"Maddie, I love you. I love all of my children"

"You know, you have some way of showing it."
"Do you really hate me Madison?" Her mother's voice trembles and tears spill onto her cheeks. This just seems to anger Madison.
"....I can't talk to you right now. I can't even look at you. I'll speak with you in the morning."

I don't listen to the rest of the conversation if there is anything left to it. I disappear from the stairs and return to my spot on the sitting room floor. I watch as Madison descends from the stairs. She still looks angry. She clutches her bow and arrows to her side and I watch her carefully.

I know she's about to go cause trouble somewhere. I can see it in her eyes but dads already warned me about her. If she sets one toe out of line...
Without hesitation she walks straight for the back door. I can't see her anymore but I hear the door shut quietly behind her, leaving the house behind in total silence.