Madison Clark- Mom of Apocalypse🔨

Her heart almost stops now

Kids had drawn it. The small hands had drawed a perfect world. Father, mother, child hand in hand looking to a rainbow colored house and a blue sky. The childish fantasy was very big there. But in this moment, Madison does not feel happiness. She felt grievement. Which child even had drawn this, it was long gone.

The small bloody traces on the couch and the armchairs, it had showed a different picture. In Madison's head it yelled.

"This family died in a cruel way. They have had no time to leave the house. Everything went too fast. Maybe they only had finished their breakfast or dinner before suddenly their world broke forever. Maybe they were attacked and everything went so fast. Or it was a slowly dead. At first it hit the father. He bite the mother or the child." She puts her hands before the mouth.

In her head, everything felt like a roller coaster. "We life in a house where a family had lived. They had hope and dreamed from a good future. Maybe they were poor but they were happy. These drawings show this. The kids were happy here. And then? ".. She does not finish the sentence.

Instead Madison grabs her own jacket now.

"I will search after a axe in the shed. Do you wanna come with me. Maybe we find a generator, that we can get electricity too?"

On her face pops up a small heartful smile now.

"I'll come with, better to stay together." Even with the mock safety that the cabin walls seemed to offer, until they were sure it didn't belong to anyone else or that the dead weren't roaming around, it was safest in numbers. Or, at least it offered a witness. "Generator would be nice, might be good to use sparingly. The one we had growing up," used only in dire situations, "was loud. Wouldn't want somebody or something hearing it and coming for us." The living or the dead.

Carefully, Fox pulled her own jacket back on. Going easy on the seams. It wasn't as if they could just pop down to the store to get a new one, but it might be smart to see if it was a possibility in the future. Especially if Madison was right and any coats here were already moth-eaten.

"With my kids… and my husband.”

She answered carefully when asked who she’d been with before, before everything fell apart. She remembered it well.

They had been a fairly normal family—

*if you could call it normal that her son preferred hiding in a drug church, drifting into strange inner worlds instead of coming home. If you could call it normal that her husband was dead… yet still haunted her like a foggy shadow.

-A car accident that hadn’t really been an accident.

A son who carried the same quiet pull toward death as his father. A daughter who seemed perfect to everyone— yet somehow had always felt like the unwanted child.

And the new man in her life… still tied to his own family.*

Was any of that normal?

For Madison, it was.

They had never been perfect. But they had each other. And then the world broke apart. And with that break came even more losses. In the end, she was left with just her children.

After this, they joined another group, but that ended in betrayal.

Her hand clenched into a fist at the thought.

A deep sigh escaped her lips.

“We were such a good team… they were strong.”

Her voice lowered. “And then we were torn apart.”

She swallowed.

“I don’t even know if they’re still alive.”

A pause.

“It’s been too long… you know?”

She turned to look at her, brow furrowing thoughtfully.

Somewhere a few meters away, a distant howl echoed through the night.

Animals?

People?

But yeah I am still here. Don't worry

/this week!! 🤗

https://at.tumblr.com/cipher04/it-had-been-a-very-long-time-since-travis-had-seen/8kodfuysg4dk

Part 2 @cipher04

(I am sorry but my tumblr does not work. :(

"I am not this person who is crying like a little baby, who hides into the corner and blames herself. This is only a cheap copy from myself. This person wanted having the attention which she never got. It has to be!"

*Whispering*

Madison cursed her weak moment where she acted like a lost sheep but not like the brave, ruthless Warrior who she was been. Blaming herself and crying about the lost child which was not even hers! It does not fit with her inner wild nature. She burries for a short moment her head onto his strong shoulder, breaths deep and tight.

Then she looks up to him,nods and grabs his hand. "If we do nothing, she is already lost! I hope that the infected did not grab her! Let's go! "

Now she repressed the weak copy from herself. Her eyes flashes. She grabs her weapon, checks the bullets.

"Let's find her! "

Is running along the corridor, the eyes catching every details but the child was not there.

"Stay calm, stay calm!" remembers herself on her own brave words.

"Maybe we should search seperated?"

But before she can speak it out... Her ears hear it... There was a silent crying... So silent but she could hear it.

"Travis? Do you hear this?" Judging by his reaction she knew that he had heard it. It was not only her own imagination which her head throws out. There was a crying... From a child.

Relieved that the child still was alive, feverly she follows the sound of it. Beside the reception was the small hotel bar..

Carefully, she comes near.. Behind her follows Travis?

The crying becomes louder..

"Maybe she is here?"

*Whispers*

Along the old chairs and tables she looks around. It was right that everything here had seen better times. In her imagination, she could hear like amount of rats were nibbling on the half broken blankets. A shiver runs again about her skin. Not a minute longer, she wanted stay here. The walkers were trapped into this one big suite. They could not be save that these Beasts would not break out?

But about this they could think about after they had found the child!

"Can you maybe look behind the Bar? "

Madison couldn't believe that she really said this. But alone the thought, that this girl had survived this bite so long, it could be a damn sign. She felt the uncertainty in his words, the fear he had for her and the little one. Of course she understood him. But she was torn inside.

On one hand, she was completely on his side. After all, they knew the problem. On the other hand, she wanted to believe in this miracle. Because one thing she had seen here: These people were feverishly searching for a cure. The institution where she had been, belonged to this entire organization.

However they still didn't know much about it. Everything here was opaque, and she might have already lost herself in it. Madison took a deep breath. She brushed her hand over her forehead. The pain in her head returned, and for a brief moment, she closed her eyes. Then she looked at him again.

"Okay, what do you suggest? Should we disappear in the middle of the night? And what about her? Should we leave her here? Tie her up, throw her out? I just don't know right now, okay?"

The helplessness was evident in her eyes!

A shaky voice made them startle. The girl had heard them, albeit unnoticed. 'I don't want to cause any trouble. I never wanted this!' She was visibly trembling again. Madison's suspicion was aroused, but she still wanted to hide it. Instead, she just smiled politely.

"It's okay, we just had a discussion. For us is this situation complicated too!"

She looked in Travis eyes."What shall we do darling!"

His eyes previously had been harsh, not towards his wife, but towards the situation in general. Right now, he viewed the girl as a threat because if she turned, it could be the end for both of them. Yet, her plea made his eyes soften slightly as he wanted to hold onto the same type of hope.  

And then there were the zombies. She now rubbed her forehead, trying to strain her brain.

"We need to figure out how to get out of here as inconspicuously as possible. We might need to disable the alarm system. Did you notice anything, an escape route, another exit, or something like that?" The girl now groaned slightly. Madison was alarmed and was about to reach for her knife, assuming that Travis was right. Maybe there was danger coming. But now she only heard a hesitant word.

"Underground! " She turned to her, furrowing her brows. "What do you mean by that?" The unknown girl shrugged her shoulders.

"If you go the normal way, you will be found quickly. They see everything. But if you take the unconventional way, then you will reach freedom!" Madison turned to Travis again. What did he think of it? Now their involuntary new acquaintance explained. "First, you pass the fence. Nearby is a control panel. You cut off the power supply. Then you slip through the fence. Behind it is a folding door. I can show it!" ... She looked at both of them hesitantly.

Madison was torn. Her vigilant mind advised her to ignore it, not to believe the girl, to question everything. But something about her words sounded so true.. She sighed deeply.

"How do we know that you mean it seriously, are not lying to us!" Now a knowing smile formed on the unknown girl's lips.

"Because, because I have this," ... now she pulled something out of the pockets of her dirty dress. It was Alicia's necklace.. Madison's eyes widened. She now reached for it. Her heart beat faster.

"Where did you get that?" The girl sighed and exclaimed.

"I found it near here." Madison suddenly felt petrified.

Did they have another choice?

His eyes flickered to the girl. There was something off about her. But it was the necklace in her palm that made him look at her sideways the most. Something was definitely wrong here and now it felt like a trap. Alicia’s necklace. Travis felt Madison tense beside him, saw the way her fingers twitched toward the chain. He felt it too. Had Alicia dropped it? Had she been taken? Had something happened to her? Did she just give this girl the necklace?

He could sense that his wife was looking to him for a solution or an idea, so he decided to speak up now that he gathered his thoughts, trying to make sense of it. He decided to be skeptical. It was for the best.

“You found it near here? That’s not an answer. Where near here? Was there anyone with it? Did you see anyone?”

Travis exhaled sharply, glancing at Madison. If there was even the smallest chance this girl was telling the truth, if Alicia had been here, he knew that she couldn't just walk away from it. But there was also the trap to consider. It might be a setup or a lie designed to lure them into something worse.

Then she briefly crossed her arms. "But you need me. I’m the key to her and to freedom!" Madison now looked helplessly at Travis. He was just as clueless. But curiosity also played a big role here. Yet Madison could play her part well...

She already had the dark premonition that this mysterious girl wasn’t really telling the truth. Travis was right. It could just as easily be a deadly trap. Then they would never see the kids again. "Can you check on the little one for a moment?" Madison herself turned back to the girl.

"Alright, we’ll go with you... But..., " At that moment, she slightly opened her jacket. The large hammer glinted at her belt. Madison’s hand slid over it. 'Do you know who’s already made acquaintance with this? I’ll give you just one hint... Not just zombies! And one more thing... If someone tries to fool me... I won’t hesitate, and I don’t care if you happen to be my daughter’s age or not! "

She now made sure her words sounded dangerous enough. A warning that still echoed... Then Madison put on her poker smile again and looked at Travis, who had now returned. "Travis, darling... We’re in agreement..." Her voice now took on a slight undertone again. "We’ll follow her!!"

Her blue eyes flashed dangerously as she spoke."

He looked over at Madison, reading the cold expression on her face despite the calm exterior she wore so well. That hammer on her belt wasn’t for show. She knew how to use it when needed. When she turned to him and asked him to check on the little one, he nodded quickly, sparing one last glance at the girl before disappearing around the corner. The baby was still asleep, tiny breaths soft against the worn fabric of the blanket they’d wrapped her in. For a few seconds, Travis allowed himself to breathe too, gently brushing a hand over the infant’s back. It was a small moment of peace in a world that offered so little of it.

He didn’t hear what Madison said to the girl, but when he came back, he saw it in her eyes. No games now. They were moving forward, with or without answers, so Travis didn’t hesitate. He grabbed their bags quickly, slinging one over his shoulder while his other hand subtly checked the hidden knife at his waist. Still there, still sharp. Just in case. As he stepped beside Madison. It was clear that neither of them trusted her right now, but she was probably their best option to escape and to find Alicia.

The night slowly gave way to the day. Small bright streaks were already visible. It was time. "There's a tunnel." The girl, Madison. called her Jane Doe, kept shuffling forward. Madison was behind her, always cautious. Beside her, Travis with the child. Madison shone her lamp between the dark thick trees, which surrounded the small buildings, the huts. Then the girl darted through a bush, and there was something... A trapdoor. "Down here, this is the tunnel. It leads back to the laundry chute of the clinic. But from there, it’s not far…"

Could it be? Travis scanned the area, studying the stillness of the trees and the thick brush around them. It could all be real. Or it could be the most creative damn bait he’d ever seen. He couldn’t afford to forget that. He crouched near the trapdoor, peering into the opening, not liking how the darkness swallowed everything past a few feet. Still, he glanced back toward Madison, and then the girl.

It was hard to guess her age. She was so thin, fragile like porcelain... Those large dark eyes didn’t match her delicate figure at all. They gave her something unsettling. Her teeth were fine. No predator’s bite... Madison found the thought absurd—believing anything about her could be threatening.

The girl had a prisoner’s mark tattooed on her. She had been through hell. They should trust her, Madison thought. But then again, Madison had trusted Charlie too—the girl who had once joined their group. Eleven years old, big pleading eyes, a teddy bear in her arms, tattered clothes, and the story of murdered parents in her baggage. Madison had welcomed her into the family too quickly, without knowing if the girl was telling the truth.

Innocence could never be evil, she had thought. And yet, innocence had betrayed her—had betrayed them all.

She shone her flashlight along the difficult path through the underground realm. It smelled of mildew, of decay... of moss. She didn’t want to know what—or who—had been in this tunnel before. Her focus was on the girl and Travis.

Is the little one okay?

She glanced briefly at him, without losing sight of their destination.

Her fear was justified. The little girl was a bit scared. Darkness all around. Only faintly lit by the flashlight.

Then, Jane’s voice:

“There’s a fork up ahead. Go left!”

Madison was relieved that it was getting brighter now. She didn’t know how long they had been walking, but now it was lighter...

“The school. We must be close!” Jane called out.

Up ahead, Madison spotted a small grate—half rusted, half crumbling...

Could they bend it?

https://at.tumblr.com/cipher04/it-had-been-a-very-long-time-since-travis-had-seen/8kodfuysg4dk

Part 2 @cipher04

(I am sorry but my tumblr does not work. :(

"I am not this person who is crying like a little baby, who hides into the corner and blames herself. This is only a cheap copy from myself. This person wanted having the attention which she never got. It has to be!"

*Whispering*

Madison cursed her weak moment where she acted like a lost sheep but not like the brave, ruthless Warrior who she was been. Blaming herself and crying about the lost child which was not even hers! It does not fit with her inner wild nature. She burries for a short moment her head onto his strong shoulder, breaths deep and tight.

Then she looks up to him,nods and grabs his hand. "If we do nothing, she is already lost! I hope that the infected did not grab her! Let's go! "

Now she repressed the weak copy from herself. Her eyes flashes. She grabs her weapon, checks the bullets.

"Let's find her! "

Is running along the corridor, the eyes catching every details but the child was not there.

"Stay calm, stay calm!" remembers herself on her own brave words.

"Maybe we should search seperated?"

But before she can speak it out... Her ears hear it... There was a silent crying... So silent but she could hear it.

"Travis? Do you hear this?" Judging by his reaction she knew that he had heard it. It was not only her own imagination which her head throws out. There was a crying... From a child.

Relieved that the child still was alive, feverly she follows the sound of it. Beside the reception was the small hotel bar..

Carefully, she comes near.. Behind her follows Travis?

The crying becomes louder..

"Maybe she is here?"

*Whispers*

Along the old chairs and tables she looks around. It was right that everything here had seen better times. In her imagination, she could hear like amount of rats were nibbling on the half broken blankets. A shiver runs again about her skin. Not a minute longer, she wanted stay here. The walkers were trapped into this one big suite. They could not be save that these Beasts would not break out?

But about this they could think about after they had found the child!

"Can you maybe look behind the Bar? "

Madison couldn't believe that she really said this. But alone the thought, that this girl had survived this bite so long, it could be a damn sign. She felt the uncertainty in his words, the fear he had for her and the little one. Of course she understood him. But she was torn inside.

On one hand, she was completely on his side. After all, they knew the problem. On the other hand, she wanted to believe in this miracle. Because one thing she had seen here: These people were feverishly searching for a cure. The institution where she had been, belonged to this entire organization.

However they still didn't know much about it. Everything here was opaque, and she might have already lost herself in it. Madison took a deep breath. She brushed her hand over her forehead. The pain in her head returned, and for a brief moment, she closed her eyes. Then she looked at him again.

"Okay, what do you suggest? Should we disappear in the middle of the night? And what about her? Should we leave her here? Tie her up, throw her out? I just don't know right now, okay?"

The helplessness was evident in her eyes!

A shaky voice made them startle. The girl had heard them, albeit unnoticed. 'I don't want to cause any trouble. I never wanted this!' She was visibly trembling again. Madison's suspicion was aroused, but she still wanted to hide it. Instead, she just smiled politely.

"It's okay, we just had a discussion. For us is this situation complicated too!"

She looked in Travis eyes."What shall we do darling!"

His eyes previously had been harsh, not towards his wife, but towards the situation in general. Right now, he viewed the girl as a threat because if she turned, it could be the end for both of them. Yet, her plea made his eyes soften slightly as he wanted to hold onto the same type of hope.  

And then there were the zombies. She now rubbed her forehead, trying to strain her brain.

"We need to figure out how to get out of here as inconspicuously as possible. We might need to disable the alarm system. Did you notice anything, an escape route, another exit, or something like that?" The girl now groaned slightly. Madison was alarmed and was about to reach for her knife, assuming that Travis was right. Maybe there was danger coming. But now she only heard a hesitant word.

"Underground! " She turned to her, furrowing her brows. "What do you mean by that?" The unknown girl shrugged her shoulders.

"If you go the normal way, you will be found quickly. They see everything. But if you take the unconventional way, then you will reach freedom!" Madison turned to Travis again. What did he think of it? Now their involuntary new acquaintance explained. "First, you pass the fence. Nearby is a control panel. You cut off the power supply. Then you slip through the fence. Behind it is a folding door. I can show it!" ... She looked at both of them hesitantly.

Madison was torn. Her vigilant mind advised her to ignore it, not to believe the girl, to question everything. But something about her words sounded so true.. She sighed deeply.

"How do we know that you mean it seriously, are not lying to us!" Now a knowing smile formed on the unknown girl's lips.

"Because, because I have this," ... now she pulled something out of the pockets of her dirty dress. It was Alicia's necklace.. Madison's eyes widened. She now reached for it. Her heart beat faster.

"Where did you get that?" The girl sighed and exclaimed.

"I found it near here." Madison suddenly felt petrified.

Did they have another choice?

His eyes flickered to the girl. There was something off about her. But it was the necklace in her palm that made him look at her sideways the most. Something was definitely wrong here and now it felt like a trap. Alicia’s necklace. Travis felt Madison tense beside him, saw the way her fingers twitched toward the chain. He felt it too. Had Alicia dropped it? Had she been taken? Had something happened to her? Did she just give this girl the necklace?

He could sense that his wife was looking to him for a solution or an idea, so he decided to speak up now that he gathered his thoughts, trying to make sense of it. He decided to be skeptical. It was for the best.

“You found it near here? That’s not an answer. Where near here? Was there anyone with it? Did you see anyone?”

Travis exhaled sharply, glancing at Madison. If there was even the smallest chance this girl was telling the truth, if Alicia had been here, he knew that she couldn't just walk away from it. But there was also the trap to consider. It might be a setup or a lie designed to lure them into something worse.

Then she briefly crossed her arms. "But you need me. I’m the key to her and to freedom!" Madison now looked helplessly at Travis. He was just as clueless. But curiosity also played a big role here. Yet Madison could play her part well...

She already had the dark premonition that this mysterious girl wasn’t really telling the truth. Travis was right. It could just as easily be a deadly trap. Then they would never see the kids again. "Can you check on the little one for a moment?" Madison herself turned back to the girl.

"Alright, we’ll go with you... But..., " At that moment, she slightly opened her jacket. The large hammer glinted at her belt. Madison’s hand slid over it. 'Do you know who’s already made acquaintance with this? I’ll give you just one hint... Not just zombies! And one more thing... If someone tries to fool me... I won’t hesitate, and I don’t care if you happen to be my daughter’s age or not! "

She now made sure her words sounded dangerous enough. A warning that still echoed... Then Madison put on her poker smile again and looked at Travis, who had now returned. "Travis, darling... We’re in agreement..." Her voice now took on a slight undertone again. "We’ll follow her!!"

Her blue eyes flashed dangerously as she spoke."

He looked over at Madison, reading the cold expression on her face despite the calm exterior she wore so well. That hammer on her belt wasn’t for show. She knew how to use it when needed. When she turned to him and asked him to check on the little one, he nodded quickly, sparing one last glance at the girl before disappearing around the corner. The baby was still asleep, tiny breaths soft against the worn fabric of the blanket they’d wrapped her in. For a few seconds, Travis allowed himself to breathe too, gently brushing a hand over the infant’s back. It was a small moment of peace in a world that offered so little of it.

He didn’t hear what Madison said to the girl, but when he came back, he saw it in her eyes. No games now. They were moving forward, with or without answers, so Travis didn’t hesitate. He grabbed their bags quickly, slinging one over his shoulder while his other hand subtly checked the hidden knife at his waist. Still there, still sharp. Just in case. As he stepped beside Madison. It was clear that neither of them trusted her right now, but she was probably their best option to escape and to find Alicia.

The night slowly gave way to the day. Small bright streaks were already visible. It was time. "There's a tunnel." The girl, Madison. called her Jane Doe, kept shuffling forward. Madison was behind her, always cautious. Beside her, Travis with the child. Madison shone her lamp between the dark thick trees, which surrounded the small buildings, the huts. Then the girl darted through a bush, and there was something... A trapdoor. "Down here, this is the tunnel. It leads back to the laundry chute of the clinic. But from there, it’s not far…"

https://at.tumblr.com/cipher04/it-had-been-a-very-long-time-since-travis-had-seen/8kodfuysg4dk

Part 2 @cipher04

(I am sorry but my tumblr does not work. :(

"I am not this person who is crying like a little baby, who hides into the corner and blames herself. This is only a cheap copy from myself. This person wanted having the attention which she never got. It has to be!"

*Whispering*

Madison cursed her weak moment where she acted like a lost sheep but not like the brave, ruthless Warrior who she was been. Blaming herself and crying about the lost child which was not even hers! It does not fit with her inner wild nature. She burries for a short moment her head onto his strong shoulder, breaths deep and tight.

Then she looks up to him,nods and grabs his hand. "If we do nothing, she is already lost! I hope that the infected did not grab her! Let's go! "

Now she repressed the weak copy from herself. Her eyes flashes. She grabs her weapon, checks the bullets.

"Let's find her! "

Is running along the corridor, the eyes catching every details but the child was not there.

"Stay calm, stay calm!" remembers herself on her own brave words.

"Maybe we should search seperated?"

But before she can speak it out... Her ears hear it... There was a silent crying... So silent but she could hear it.

"Travis? Do you hear this?" Judging by his reaction she knew that he had heard it. It was not only her own imagination which her head throws out. There was a crying... From a child.

Relieved that the child still was alive, feverly she follows the sound of it. Beside the reception was the small hotel bar..

Carefully, she comes near.. Behind her follows Travis?

The crying becomes louder..

"Maybe she is here?"

*Whispers*

Along the old chairs and tables she looks around. It was right that everything here had seen better times. In her imagination, she could hear like amount of rats were nibbling on the half broken blankets. A shiver runs again about her skin. Not a minute longer, she wanted stay here. The walkers were trapped into this one big suite. They could not be save that these Beasts would not break out?

But about this they could think about after they had found the child!

"Can you maybe look behind the Bar? "

Madison couldn't believe that she really said this. But alone the thought, that this girl had survived this bite so long, it could be a damn sign. She felt the uncertainty in his words, the fear he had for her and the little one. Of course she understood him. But she was torn inside.

On one hand, she was completely on his side. After all, they knew the problem. On the other hand, she wanted to believe in this miracle. Because one thing she had seen here: These people were feverishly searching for a cure. The institution where she had been, belonged to this entire organization.

However they still didn't know much about it. Everything here was opaque, and she might have already lost herself in it. Madison took a deep breath. She brushed her hand over her forehead. The pain in her head returned, and for a brief moment, she closed her eyes. Then she looked at him again.

"Okay, what do you suggest? Should we disappear in the middle of the night? And what about her? Should we leave her here? Tie her up, throw her out? I just don't know right now, okay?"

The helplessness was evident in her eyes!

A shaky voice made them startle. The girl had heard them, albeit unnoticed. 'I don't want to cause any trouble. I never wanted this!' She was visibly trembling again. Madison's suspicion was aroused, but she still wanted to hide it. Instead, she just smiled politely.

"It's okay, we just had a discussion. For us is this situation complicated too!"

She looked in Travis eyes."What shall we do darling!"

His eyes previously had been harsh, not towards his wife, but towards the situation in general. Right now, he viewed the girl as a threat because if she turned, it could be the end for both of them. Yet, her plea made his eyes soften slightly as he wanted to hold onto the same type of hope.  

And then there were the zombies. She now rubbed her forehead, trying to strain her brain.

"We need to figure out how to get out of here as inconspicuously as possible. We might need to disable the alarm system. Did you notice anything, an escape route, another exit, or something like that?" The girl now groaned slightly. Madison was alarmed and was about to reach for her knife, assuming that Travis was right. Maybe there was danger coming. But now she only heard a hesitant word.

"Underground! " She turned to her, furrowing her brows. "What do you mean by that?" The unknown girl shrugged her shoulders.

"If you go the normal way, you will be found quickly. They see everything. But if you take the unconventional way, then you will reach freedom!" Madison turned to Travis again. What did he think of it? Now their involuntary new acquaintance explained. "First, you pass the fence. Nearby is a control panel. You cut off the power supply. Then you slip through the fence. Behind it is a folding door. I can show it!" ... She looked at both of them hesitantly.

Madison was torn. Her vigilant mind advised her to ignore it, not to believe the girl, to question everything. But something about her words sounded so true.. She sighed deeply.

"How do we know that you mean it seriously, are not lying to us!" Now a knowing smile formed on the unknown girl's lips.

"Because, because I have this," ... now she pulled something out of the pockets of her dirty dress. It was Alicia's necklace.. Madison's eyes widened. She now reached for it. Her heart beat faster.

"Where did you get that?" The girl sighed and exclaimed.

"I found it near here." Madison suddenly felt petrified.

Did they have another choice?

His eyes flickered to the girl. There was something off about her. But it was the necklace in her palm that made him look at her sideways the most. Something was definitely wrong here and now it felt like a trap. Alicia’s necklace. Travis felt Madison tense beside him, saw the way her fingers twitched toward the chain. He felt it too. Had Alicia dropped it? Had she been taken? Had something happened to her? Did she just give this girl the necklace?

He could sense that his wife was looking to him for a solution or an idea, so he decided to speak up now that he gathered his thoughts, trying to make sense of it. He decided to be skeptical. It was for the best.

“You found it near here? That’s not an answer. Where near here? Was there anyone with it? Did you see anyone?”

Travis exhaled sharply, glancing at Madison. If there was even the smallest chance this girl was telling the truth, if Alicia had been here, he knew that she couldn't just walk away from it. But there was also the trap to consider. It might be a setup or a lie designed to lure them into something worse.

Then she briefly crossed her arms. "But you need me. I’m the key to her and to freedom!" Madison now looked helplessly at Travis. He was just as clueless. But curiosity also played a big role here. Yet Madison could play her part well...

She already had the dark premonition that this mysterious girl wasn’t really telling the truth. Travis was right. It could just as easily be a deadly trap. Then they would never see the kids again. "Can you check on the little one for a moment?" Madison herself turned back to the girl.

"Alright, we’ll go with you... But..., " At that moment, she slightly opened her jacket. The large hammer glinted at her belt. Madison’s hand slid over it. 'Do you know who’s already made acquaintance with this? I’ll give you just one hint... Not just zombies! And one more thing... If someone tries to fool me... I won’t hesitate, and I don’t care if you happen to be my daughter’s age or not! "

She now made sure her words sounded dangerous enough. A warning that still echoed... Then Madison put on her poker smile again and looked at Travis, who had now returned. "Travis, darling... We’re in agreement..." Her voice now took on a slight undertone again. "We’ll follow her!!"

Her blue eyes flashed dangerously as she spoke."

// um yeah I was been busy and sick.. But this week I will manage it to come to the promised replies on Alicia, Maddie, Becky

https://at.tumblr.com/cipher04/it-had-been-a-very-long-time-since-travis-had-seen/8kodfuysg4dk

Part 2 @cipher04

(I am sorry but my tumblr does not work. :(

"I am not this person who is crying like a little baby, who hides into the corner and blames herself. This is only a cheap copy from myself. This person wanted having the attention which she never got. It has to be!"

*Whispering*

Madison cursed her weak moment where she acted like a lost sheep but not like the brave, ruthless Warrior who she was been. Blaming herself and crying about the lost child which was not even hers! It does not fit with her inner wild nature. She burries for a short moment her head onto his strong shoulder, breaths deep and tight.

Then she looks up to him,nods and grabs his hand. "If we do nothing, she is already lost! I hope that the infected did not grab her! Let's go! "

Now she repressed the weak copy from herself. Her eyes flashes. She grabs her weapon, checks the bullets.

"Let's find her! "

Is running along the corridor, the eyes catching every details but the child was not there.

"Stay calm, stay calm!" remembers herself on her own brave words.

"Maybe we should search seperated?"

But before she can speak it out... Her ears hear it... There was a silent crying... So silent but she could hear it.

"Travis? Do you hear this?" Judging by his reaction she knew that he had heard it. It was not only her own imagination which her head throws out. There was a crying... From a child.

Relieved that the child still was alive, feverly she follows the sound of it. Beside the reception was the small hotel bar..

Carefully, she comes near.. Behind her follows Travis?

The crying becomes louder..

"Maybe she is here?"

*Whispers*

Along the old chairs and tables she looks around. It was right that everything here had seen better times. In her imagination, she could hear like amount of rats were nibbling on the half broken blankets. A shiver runs again about her skin. Not a minute longer, she wanted stay here. The walkers were trapped into this one big suite. They could not be save that these Beasts would not break out?

But about this they could think about after they had found the child!

"Can you maybe look behind the Bar? "

Madison couldn't believe that she really said this. But alone the thought, that this girl had survived this bite so long, it could be a damn sign. She felt the uncertainty in his words, the fear he had for her and the little one. Of course she understood him. But she was torn inside.

On one hand, she was completely on his side. After all, they knew the problem. On the other hand, she wanted to believe in this miracle. Because one thing she had seen here: These people were feverishly searching for a cure. The institution where she had been, belonged to this entire organization.

However they still didn't know much about it. Everything here was opaque, and she might have already lost herself in it. Madison took a deep breath. She brushed her hand over her forehead. The pain in her head returned, and for a brief moment, she closed her eyes. Then she looked at him again.

"Okay, what do you suggest? Should we disappear in the middle of the night? And what about her? Should we leave her here? Tie her up, throw her out? I just don't know right now, okay?"

The helplessness was evident in her eyes!

A shaky voice made them startle. The girl had heard them, albeit unnoticed. 'I don't want to cause any trouble. I never wanted this!' She was visibly trembling again. Madison's suspicion was aroused, but she still wanted to hide it. Instead, she just smiled politely.

"It's okay, we just had a discussion. For us is this situation complicated too!"

She looked in Travis eyes."What shall we do darling!"

His eyes previously had been harsh, not towards his wife, but towards the situation in general. Right now, he viewed the girl as a threat because if she turned, it could be the end for both of them. Yet, her plea made his eyes soften slightly as he wanted to hold onto the same type of hope.  

And then there were the zombies. She now rubbed her forehead, trying to strain her brain.

"We need to figure out how to get out of here as inconspicuously as possible. We might need to disable the alarm system. Did you notice anything, an escape route, another exit, or something like that?" The girl now groaned slightly. Madison was alarmed and was about to reach for her knife, assuming that Travis was right. Maybe there was danger coming. But now she only heard a hesitant word.

"Underground! " She turned to her, furrowing her brows. "What do you mean by that?" The unknown girl shrugged her shoulders.

"If you go the normal way, you will be found quickly. They see everything. But if you take the unconventional way, then you will reach freedom!" Madison turned to Travis again. What did he think of it? Now their involuntary new acquaintance explained. "First, you pass the fence. Nearby is a control panel. You cut off the power supply. Then you slip through the fence. Behind it is a folding door. I can show it!" ... She looked at both of them hesitantly.

Madison was torn. Her vigilant mind advised her to ignore it, not to believe the girl, to question everything. But something about her words sounded so true.. She sighed deeply.

"How do we know that you mean it seriously, are not lying to us!" Now a knowing smile formed on the unknown girl's lips.

"Because, because I have this," ... now she pulled something out of the pockets of her dirty dress. It was Alicia's necklace.. Madison's eyes widened. She now reached for it. Her heart beat faster.

"Where did you get that?" The girl sighed and exclaimed.

"I found it near here." Madison suddenly felt petrified.

Did they have another choice?