The Lucky One//twd

020. Heartache & Bombs

Madison's POV

The air felt like it had been sucked out of the room.

Blake's hand was still around my wrist, firm but gentle, and I hated how much I didn't want him to let go. Glenn's voice echoed behind my ribs like a punch—you pieces of shit. The guilt hit me like a brick, but I didn't pull away from Blake right away either.

What the hell was wrong with me?

I yanked my arm free and stormed toward Glenn's dorm, but it was locked. Of course it was. I could hear things clattering inside. Maybe he was pacing. Maybe breaking things. Maybe crying.

I slid down the wall and buried my face in my hands.

I didn't even mean to kiss Blake. Not really. Not tonight. I just... wanted to feel something besides fear and decay. Blake had looked at me like I was the only person left in the world. Like I was something worth saving.

But Glenn—Glenn was real. Glenn had saved me a dozen times, cracked jokes when I couldn't breathe, held me while I cried. He was safe.

And I'd ruined it.

"You okay?" Blake's voice came low from behind me. He was standing a few feet away, arms crossed over his chest, looking more guarded now. He wasn't touching me. Good.

"Do I look okay?" I muttered.

He didn't answer. Just slid down to sit next to me, knees brushing mine.

For a minute, we didn't say anything. The buzzing of the overhead lights filled the space. Somewhere down the corridor, someone was coughing—maybe Dale, maybe Rick. Everyone was restless tonight.

"They're letting us stay one more night," Blake finally said. "Then we're out. That scientist guy... Jenner? He doesn't think there's anything left."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

Blake turned toward me slowly. "I didn't mean to screw anything up for you. With Glenn."

I looked at him. Hard. "You didn't kiss yourself, Blake."

His jaw tensed. "No. But I wanted to. Since Atlanta."

My throat tightened. I didn't want this. I didn't want to be one of those people who made everything worse because they didn't know what the hell they wanted.

"I don't know what I'm doing," I whispered.

"I do," he said. "You're trying to survive. So am I."

His hand brushed mine, barely touching. My fingers twitched.

"I shouldn't want this," I said, voice hoarse.

"But you do."

I looked away. "That's not fair."

"Neither is the world right now."

We sat in silence again. Something distant thudded from another hallway—someone slamming a door maybe. The CDC felt like a tomb, full of ghosts and flickering lights.

"I need to talk to him," I finally said.

Blake nodded. "Then go."

I stood, legs shaky. But before I took a step, Blake rose too. "Madison."

I turned to him.

"If he forgives you... If he still wants you... I'll back off. I swear."

I blinked. "You would?"

He nodded once. "Yeah. Because you're not mine. But God, I want you to be."

I didn't know what to say to that.

So I turned and walked back toward Glenn's room, heart pounding in my ears.

⸻

Blake's POV

The moment she left, I punched the wall.

Hard.

Then I let my head fall back against the cold metal behind me. This place smelled like bleach and death. I hated it. I hated how alive she made me feel. And I hated how fast it could be taken away.

I lit a cigarette. Jenner didn't want us smoking indoors, but he could go to hell. The world had ended. Rules didn't mean shit.

I leaned back and exhaled. If Glenn took her back, I'd deal with it. But I wouldn't lie—I'd never stop wanting her. Not ever.

And if he didn't?

She was mine.