The Collapse of Mankind

Chapter Four, TCOM Part III

The two girls entered the bedroom with two bunk beds in it. Alexis closed the door behind them. She walked over to the desk in the corner and sat on top of it.

Alexis: So what happened?

Madison began pacing nervously.

Madison: So much.
Alexis: Who shot Sophia?
Madison: Nova.

Alexis' jaw dropped in shock.

Alexis: Nova? No fucking way. I hoped she was dead.
Madison: She will be if I get my hands on her.
Alexis: Or me. What do you know about her? Do you know what happened with her and Jess?
Madison: I know... parts. Not the whole thing. I know she killed Jess when attempting to kill someone else.
Alexis: Me. When attempting to kill me.
Madison: No fucking way.
Alexis: Yes fucking way.

Madison sighed.

Madison: Sophia handled all of it. Very well, actually. Nova and some guy called Michael were searching for the leader of my last camp.
Alexis: Michael as in the same Michael that me, Ellie, Cisco and Soph came across?
Madison: I... think so. Anyway, the leader of my last camp is dead. But now I think they're coming here.
Alexis: HERE?
Madison: Yes.
Alexis: Oh hell fucking no. How did you escape them?
Madison: I stabbed Michael and we ran. Sophia got shot when we were running. Eventually, infected surrounded them and we lost them.

Madison sighed.

Madison: None is this would have fucking happened if I didn't steal.
Alexis: I'm not gonna sit here and console you. What you did was wrong. But it happened. And there's nothing we can do now.
Madison: I guess.
Alexis: Sophia will be okay.
Madison: Thank you.
Alexis: That's nice, Maddie. But don't tell me. Tell Vi.

It fell silent. Alexis got up.

Alexis: I'm going to warn the others.

She headed towards the door of the room and opened it slowly. Before she exited, she turned around to face Madison.

Alexis: The other person that voted for you to stay was Cisco.

Madison smiled.

Madison: He did?
Alexis: He did. I'm glad to have you back, Maddie.

Alexis turned back around and walked out of the room. Madison walked over to one of the bunk beds and sat down on the bottom one. She looked at the cracks in the floor, sighing to herself.

All of a sudden, the door opened. And in came Cisco. Maddie smiled and stood up, accidentally hitting her head on the top bunk. She put her hand on where she hit her head in attempt to make it feel better. Cisco laughed a little.

Cisco: Ouch. Are you okay?

Madison nodded, still laughing.

Madison: I'm okay.
Cisco: Good. I heard what happened. How are you feeling?
Madison: A little shaken up. But I'm okay.

Cisco smiled.

Cisco: I'm glad.
Madison: Thanks for... voting for me to stay.

Cisco nervously laughed.

Cisco: Who told you I voted for you to stay?
Madison: Alexis.
Cisco: That little motherfucker.
Madison: I really appreciate it.

Madison smiled at Cisco.

Cisco: I thought you'd be gone forever.
Madison: I thought so, too.
Cisco: It was wrong of them to make you leave. I don't know where they were expecting you to go. Especially with Sophia.
Madison: We handled it okay... I think.
Cisco: Clearly.
Madison: Did Alexis mention Nova?
Cisco: Briefly. But I cared more about finding out if you were okay.
Madison: I'm okay. Now you can be angry.
Cisco: As soon as I leave this room, I'm lighting my torch and getting my pitchfork.

Maddie laughed at his joke as Cisco walked closer to her. Her heartbeat sped up immensely.

Cisco: I'm glad you're safe.
Madison: I am, too.

Cisco leaned in, kissing Madison on the cheek softly. He pulled away, smiling and walking backwards towards the door.

As soon as Cisco was gone, Madison was left in shock.

Madison: Holy shit.