The Lucky One//twd

030. The Fence Line

Madison's POV

The rabbit stayed in my mind like a hook under my skin.

Whoever left it knew what they were doing. It wasn't just a kill — it was a warning. A message.

They were watching.

And no one else seemed to care enough.

Daryl thought it was a trapper. Rick said we'd stay alert. Shane just wanted to put another padlock on the barn.

But I couldn't stop seeing that clean cut. That careful placement. That intention.

So I did what I always do.

I went looking for answers.

⸻

It was stupid.

I could barely walk a week ago. But today I made it down the back trail without collapsing. My side still pulled with every step, and the cane Hershel gave me didn't help much, but I had adrenaline on my side.

And anger.

Always anger.

The air smelled thick with rot and summer heat. My boots squished in the damp soil. Crows watched me from the trees like they were waiting for something to die.

I found the spot again near the stream. The pile of leaves was gone now. So was the rabbit.

But something was different.

Snapped branches. A footprint. Larger than Daryl's. Fresh.

They were watching us.

"Jesus Christ, Madison."

I spun around too fast — pain flared through my side.

Shane stood behind me, fists clenched, eyes wide with disbelief and fury.

"You got a death wish, huh?" he barked.

"I came out to check—"

"You don't check anything without telling someone! You don't just wander off after what happened!"

"I wasn't wandering off," I snapped, suddenly defensive. "I found something last night. Signs. We're being watched."

"And that gives you the right to play soldier?" he shouted. "You almost died, Mads. I held your hand while your blood soaked the goddamn grass!"

I flinched. I hadn't heard that from him yet. Not in those words.

"I'm not a kid anymore, Shane," I said, my voice low.

"You're my sister!" he exploded. "And if something happens to you again—if I have to carry your body back to camp—I won't survive it."

That shut me up.

He ran a hand over his face, breathing hard. "You want to prove something, fine. Do it smart. Don't sneak off in the woods like you're invincible."

I swallowed hard. "I'm trying to do something. Everyone's just pretending this place is safe."

"We know it's not," he muttered. "We just want to believe it's quiet for a little while."

I didn't respond.

He looked at me for a long moment before shaking his head and turning back toward the trail.

"Come on," he grumbled. "Let's get back before you faint."

⸻

Blake was sitting on the porch when we returned.

The look on his face said he already knew.

"Did you tell him?" he asked me.

"No," Shane answered for me. "I found her."

Blake stood up. "You left? Alone?"

"I was careful."

"That's not the point."

"I'm not yours to worry about," I snapped.

He flinched like I'd slapped him.

Shane gave me a look, but didn't say anything. Just walked past us both, muttering, "You two figure your shit out before someone gets killed."

The door slammed behind him.

I stood there, arms folded, watching Blake.

He looked tired. All the way to the bone.

"I didn't mean that," I said softly.

He nodded. "But it's true, isn't it? You're not mine."

"That's not what I—"

"You say you're trying to do something, Mads," he interrupted. "But I think you're just trying to feel something."

I froze.

His voice cracked a little. "You almost died. And I—I didn't know what I'd do if you didn't wake up. And now you're back and it's like you can't wait to run straight into danger again."

"I need to be useful," I hissed. "I can't just sit around like some wounded doll while people get hurt."

"I don't care if you're useful," he said, stepping closer. "I care that you're alive."

That silenced me.

His breath was shaky. "I've been wanting to say something. Since that night. Since before. But I keep holding back because... I don't think you're ready to hear it."

I met his eyes. "Say it."

He opened his mouth. Then shut it again.

Shook his head.

"I care about you, Madison. More than I should. And I think if I lose you, I won't be able to come back from it."

The words hit like a hammer to the chest.

And I didn't have an answer.

Because part of me wanted to kiss him.

And part of me wanted to run.

So I did neither.

I turned, opened the door, and went inside.

⸻

That night, someone set the barn fence on fire.

It went up in minutes. Smoke poured across the pasture.

We rushed out, weapons drawn.

No walkers.

Just a message.

Carved into the wooden beam at the front gate.

YOU'RE NOT ALONE .