Ranger's Apprentice - The Afterwards

Ch. 14

   Maddie left Jason by his farm. They were going to part ways early tonight. When Jason picked her up at midnight, they would leave.
   Maddie had reached the stables and was about to unsadle Bumper when a sound alerted her of a new presence. She looked around and picked up a nearby pitchfork.
   "Who's there?" She said, voice not quavering.
   A short, gray bearded man stepped out from behind a hay stack.
   "Will." Maddie said shortly. He crossed his arms.
   "Maddie."
   "Can I help you with something?" She said, tossing the pitchfork aside.
   "Yes. I want you to explain to me why you said what you did in the meadow."
   Maddie snorted. "I am not talking to you about it. Why don't you just run to my father and tell him?"
   Will's eyes flared. "Madelyn." His voice was dangerously low. "Watch yourself-"
   "No, Will!" Maddie yelled, cutting him off. "You watch yourself! How dare you come here to talk me out of running away! How dare you speak to me like I'm the wrong one! I had so much respect for you, Will! I loved you! I looked up to you! And you took all those emotions and all those high regards and you- you just threw them away!"
   Will looked stunned, but his voice was strong when he answered.
   "Maddie, what I was doing was for-" he tried, but Maddie cut him off again.
   "Yourself, Will! You were only doing this for yourself! Because you didn't think I could handle myself! Do you have any idea how that makes me feel? That you have so little confidence in me? I thought you trusted me!" Maddie's voice broke.
   "Maddie...I-" Will's voice was different now, almost hurt. But Maddie wasn't listening.
   "I trusted you Will. But you never trusted me." She choaked.
   "Maddie I did trust-"
   "Don't come looking for me, Will. Don't send my parents or anybody else to look for me. Don't even think about me. Just do one last thing for me." Maddie lowered her head.
   "Anything..." Will whispered.
   "Just act like you never knew me. Let's just pretend you were never my godfather. And never my mentor." Maddie lifted her head to look in Will's eyes. "Because I wish you weren't. And I hate you."
   Will stumbled back in shock. Maddie felt years well up and spill over, but she didn't let that stop her. She mounted Bumper and grabbed Carmen's reins. Without a second thought, she sped out of the stables and toward Jason's farm.
   And Will felt his heart break as she didn't look back.

Author's note: Guys...this hurt so much to write. 😭Let's all take a moment to notice how sad this is. (I'm sorry I had to write this.)