Birds With Broken Wings

Maddy had been in her own world, just sitting at the river looking out into the horizon. Thoughts had been filling her mind lately, which made her feel anxious. It affected her sleep, affected how she spent her days. The doctor helped the people in the gang. She did her chores, but she was disconnected in a way. Now she was sitting on a rock, just thinking. Worrying.

John's voice ripped her out of her thoughts, and she gasped softly in surprise. She looked confused as she tried to comprehend what he said, but quickly caught on.

-"A-Ah. Yes, you could say that. How are you doing, Mr Marston?"

"Afternoon, Doctor Kaiser," he greeted as he stood beside her, "doing just fine. Didn't mean to startle you."

He couldn't help but note the worry etched in Maddy's eyes. Just because his relationship with his son and the mother of his child wasn't the greatest, didn't mean he was a horrible friend and brother-in-arms to the rest of the gang members. He cared about them because they were family to him.

Maddy balled her hand to try and hide her fingers from John. Her eyes looked out over the water. The sun got caught in the calm waves, causing the surface to sparkle like stars. The surface was calm, but there was a current underneath that could be treacherous to those unaware. She thought about the analogy for a moment. It wasn't too far from how things here in camp seemed. Maybe people knew?

-"I... I would be lying if I said I was okay... Truth be told, I..."

She stopped herself and looked around to make sure no one was within the hearing range of the conversation. Her was was lowered to just above a whisper to keep it between the two of them.

-"Mr Marston, does Mr Van Der Linde seem odd to you? I mean, I feel like something is changing. He is changing, and I remain unsure if I appreciate it."

John rubbed his face over his jaw as she spoke. The words sunk slowly, but they resonated deep in his soul. It hurt to listen, because he now wasn't the only one who felt the same way. No matter where they traveled, or how far, Dutch was getting worse. There was no going about changing him or his ways. The further they kept going, the worse their problems got. It would only be a matter of time before another one of the gang would fall. How much longer until they'd all die because of Dutch's dream?

With sagged shoulders, John couldn't help but admit defeat in front of Maddy. "Doctor Kaiser, I… I gotta say that I agree with you. He ain't been right for some time."

That hurt like a stab to the heart. Dutch was a father to him. He took him in when nobody else would, and raised him to be the man he is today, but these days, he couldn't recognize him as that same man. When Maddy leaned in close, John put an arm around her to offer comfort.

He gazed across the waters as the small waves lapped about in a picturesque manner. John thought about Tahiti, and the stupid talks Dutch would have about mangos or something or another. Maybe in another life they could've been on an island somewhere, without a care in a world, just living off the land….

- "Thank you for warning me, Mr Marston. I will be sure to be vigilant around Mr Van Der Linde..."

It felt alarming to see Dutch warp into someone unrecognisable. She had only been here for a short time, but she could sense something was wrong. Her eyes scanned over the camp, observing the rest of the gang as they went on with their daily life. The doctor looked at John, still with a hint of worry in her eyes.

- "What... What worries me the most is how it's affecting most of you here. Especially when Mr Bell is around. He's stuck to Mr Van Der Linde like stink on a pig. Don't fancy him one bit. He makes my skin crawl."

Maddy scrunched her nose in disdain.

Reference for slasher!Maddy

Basic info (Alternative TCM!Verse Maddy)

- She gets taken in when Nubbins is still alive.

- The original plan was to kill her like all the other meat, but Nubbins likes her too much. Hell yeah, something to play with!

- Maddy begs for her life, persuading them to not kill her, since she can do all the things they might need. Cook, clean, mend clothes, she’s a doctor and she can help Bobba around the house. Drayton reluctantly sees the appeal, especially seeing how they need to work their asses off to stay alive. Plus, Nubbins’ nagging grinds his gears and eventually she’s released.

- Nubbins creates a contraption that makes it impossible for her to run away, and she can’t remove it. Over time she loses her sanity and becomes a part of the family. The murdering, cannibalism and abuse becomes a new norm for her, and her old self vanishes to be replaces by the new her. When Nubbins dies she’s there to mourn with the family.

- She would still talk to him, much like how Bobby treats him as he’s still alive.

-She’s not met Bobby before, and when he returns from Vietnam she’s on edge. She’s seen pictures of him, heard Nubbins talk about his twin but what she sees on the pictures does not match with the person before her. Eventually she becomes more calm around him. However, Bobby being Bobby he can’t keep his hands to himself.

- Maddy often runs and hides behind Drayton because of it, and finds it cathartic to see Bobby get beaten with the broom. She’s fully capable of defending herself, she just finds a sick pleasure in acting like a frightened girl who is being abused by the evil man. It’s an unhealthy coping mechanism from the abuse she experienced by her uncle and the Sawyers.

- She’s often used as bait but sees no problem in it, and finds an enjoyment in killing, especially men. Again, a coping mechanism from her uncle.

- She feels like she’s getting her revenge over him by killing men. Essentially living a fantasy of murdering him.

- Her mask resembles an armadillo and was made by Bubba. It symbolises a rebirth by ‘killing’ her old self and wearing her new sense of identity.

- her weapon is an old and rusty bush axe modified to be sharper and pointier.

- She ends up getting her own bracelet made from a few teeth and some finger bones from her first victim.

- The scar on her face is from fighting Nubbins at some point during her capture.

- She’ll usually not wear shoes (if she can) when killing, as she feels like it makes her movement more silent.

And I got one of the Leatherface pop funkos I've been wanting for a while! He fits in with the rest of the family! I got a Choptop figure right next to the picture of Bill Moseley signing said figure ❤️

Maddy and one of her best gal-pals, Soonie who belongs to @russiandollbong

I love Drayton so much. Shut up. He's hot.

Maddy had been in her own world, just sitting at the river looking out into the horizon. Thoughts had been filling her mind lately, which made her feel anxious. It affected her sleep, affected how she spent her days. The doctor helped the people in the gang. She did her chores, but she was disconnected in a way. Now she was sitting on a rock, just thinking. Worrying.

John's voice ripped her out of her thoughts, and she gasped softly in surprise. She looked confused as she tried to comprehend what he said, but quickly caught on.

-"A-Ah. Yes, you could say that. How are you doing, Mr Marston?"

"Afternoon, Doctor Kaiser," he greeted as he stood beside her, "doing just fine. Didn't mean to startle you."

He couldn't help but note the worry etched in Maddy's eyes. Just because his relationship with his son and the mother of his child wasn't the greatest, didn't mean he was a horrible friend and brother-in-arms to the rest of the gang members. He cared about them because they were family to him.

Maddy balled her hand to try and hide her fingers from John. Her eyes looked out over the water. The sun got caught in the calm waves, causing the surface to sparkle like stars. The surface was calm, but there was a current underneath that could be treacherous to those unaware. She thought about the analogy for a moment. It wasn't too far from how things here in camp seemed. Maybe people knew?

-"I... I would be lying if I said I was okay... Truth be told, I..."

She stopped herself and looked around to make sure no one was within the hearing range of the conversation. Her was was lowered to just above a whisper to keep it between the two of them.

-"Mr Marston, does Mr Van Der Linde seem odd to you? I mean, I feel like something is changing. He is changing, and I remain unsure if I appreciate it."

"Oh?" The artistic words she used caught Stefano's attention almost instantly when she spoke such things. His sent of blood smelling of memory and smoke.

"Mio Amico. Where have you heard such words? They are beautiful." He hummed as he approached her. His fingers lacing his scarf as he spoke. Fixing hair over his eye as his head cocked to the side. What a curious woman. If only she knew the danger she was in talking to a man like him.

“Ah..a question deemed important to him. What deemed her beautiful? He saw many things as beautiful. But when it came to a person. The imperfect always caught his eye more than the flawless. Scars, burns, missing limbs. He himself was imperfect and thus loved thoes simular to his own features. He looked her up and down with a smile.

"Its hard to explain it.” He said simply as he rubbed his chin.“ Your personality. A unique air of mystery. My mind adores such puzzles. Though I’ve yet to see your face. I can tell you have the personality of an artist.” He smoothed out his tie as he turned to face her. His blue hue pinned on her back. Studying her movements. What her next move was. But he lost his intrest in killing her. If she was what he thought she was. A artist. He’d adore to see such works shes made.

“I am an Artist myself. Though unlike the old fashioned way of painting those who’ve been sitting in the sake position for hours for months on end. I use this.” He raised his camera. He was no family photo man. He’s been on the front cover of vogue and Prada magazine for three years straight. But there always must be a hint of controversy to make the limelight that much brighter.

Though he didn’t expect her to know what thoes were. He knew she knew photography at least. His camera was rather old and worn looking. Polaroid.“ I’d adore to see what magical beauty you’ve placed on canvas mio amico!”

-"Perfectly imperfect"

The woman mused over the words. A murder of black crows cawed, their bodies circling the surrounding area in an effortless areal ballet. Miranda... always watching, always alert to what goes on in the village, always present. Her eyes watched the birds passively still with her back to the man. So he was an artist too. She appreciated artists and art in whatever form in took. Art spoke where words could not. Only those who understood the ancient language of art would see a different world with hidden meaning.

-"Cameras are an interesting medium. Impressionism. Fleeting glimpses of passed moments caught in a single picture. Composition, colours, lighting, atmosphere, subjects... one always were attracted to the sudden and unprepared moments. The raw reality and emotions in that particular moment. Nothing put on display, carefully arranged, and staged to convey precisely the message the artist wants."

She rocked her body slightly. There was an air about her. An unspoilt young lady, a flower in its prime that locked in a stasis where rot and decay could not tarnish it. She turned on her heels and looked at the man once more.

-"This one does not let art be confined to one medium. My domicile is filled with works of many generations, and as such many mediums. One does produce the art requested by mother and my siblings, but oil on canvas is but one thing. Explore the village, and you shall encounter many artefacts crafted by this one's hands."

A pregnant paused lingered in the air as she thought. Her head lowered for a brief second before the hollow eyes of the mask met his.

"Blood is in beauty. As beauty is in death. To show you my work would be an honor among artists." He said as he tried to look past the mask. Her words made him smile." You've created art. By turning one's body to bone?" He asked as he grew excited. Such a power to create statues. He clapped his hands together. Such an honor. A pleasure. No..a fate he was glad had stumbled upon him.

"Magnificent..I'm amazed what this black god has granted you and these other lords. Its something I only dreamt of." He wasn't going to brag. But he'd tell her." I've had abilities beyond human comprehension once..the ability to create living art. The ability to freeze time and make it repeat itself. But sadly. I lost that power long ago."

The perfect gift from the core of Stem. His power was strong. Undeniably powerful. Till Sebastian had ruined his art and nearly killed him.

The Lord added with a flat tone. There were no detectable emotions in her voice. If anything, she sounded more like someone who always carried a mild interest in things. A curiosity for what happened around her, what was said, done, and hidden away. She tilted her head again. First to one side then to the other.

-"Hmmm. A blessing or a curse. I know what I am and have forgotten what I used to be. We are but pawns in Mother's grand scheme. Weapons created by her to do her bidding, we are the results of failed experiments to become the vessel to inhabit her child. Her true child..."

The mask looked down af the gloved hands, which in return closed rightly as if she tried to crush something in the palms that remained invisible. The leather creaked under the strain before the fingers relaxed once more. A gift? A gift was something you wanted and cherished, this was forced upon them. All they could do was accept their fate for no salvation was given to them, no cure.

-"Mayhaps. One tends to favour solitude over company, and one does not indulge in the consumption of spirits. Why do you wish to share a meal with me? Why not the other Lords? Their echelon is more favourable than my own."