AHS Imagines

22: Hiking (Madison Montgomery)

A/N: Inspired by my recent experiences and I thought it'd be interesting with this pairing. Also, I used a Latin translator for one part so it might not be accurate

Reader & Madison spend the whole day out hiking together with some of the other coven members, probably not in New Orleans though

The morning started with our small group heading over to get breakfast from a local coffee shop that served a variety of pastries, but specialized in lattes and powdered sugar-covered beignets that reminded us all of our home back in Louisiana. We'd come out to look for potential new homes for the expanding coven and had a few days off to relax. Cordelia thought it would be beneficial to expend some energy while also being in nature. So here we were, all set to go hiking.

Each of us was prepared in our own ways. Zoe had a full water bottle and a few snacks, Kyle in tow for conversation. Queenie and Misty hadn't brought much to take up the trail, thinking that it would just be an extra load to carry up. Madison had a large water bottle, clearly expensive sunglasses, and her phone glued to her hand. 

On the other hand, Cordelia was like our over-protective mom. She was carrying a large backpack full of medical supplies, snacks, extra water, lip balm, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, sunglasses, bug repellant, and anything else imaginable. It was bizarre to see her dressed so casually for once in a pair of sporty black leggings and a loose black t-shirt, in contrast to her usual neat-teacher look. 

Each of us felt groggy waking up so early without a proper breakfast until we went to the café. The coffee worked its magic in energizing all of us and, gradually, we actually conversed with each other at the tables instead of grumbling tiredly. But our slow morning was cut short by Cordelia's announcement.

"Alright everyone, we'd better get going if we want to make it back early enough. I have a slight suspicion that this excursion might take longer than expected." She smiled, waving us all up from our seats and back into the van she rented. 

"Well shit." Madison complained, dragging herself across the booth seat to get up and follow the group only because she didn't have much of a choice. 

We sat together in the van, her checking the important notifications on her phone and occasionally glancing outside to see if we were close to the destination. Queenie sat shotgun with Google Maps open so we'd find the trailhead rather than get lost with Cordelia's lack of intuitive navigation as well as how none of us were familiar with where we were anyways. 

The region had turned pretty rural and the landscape was rugged. Huge forested hills surrounded the clear blue skyline, the busy city we'd been staying in clearing down to just a few gas stations out here. There was no more phone reception out here besides the directions that'd already been loaded up on Queenie's phone. Everyone was already impatient after the few hours we'd been driving for. 

Finally, the van pulled into some small paved road with nothing but houses on each side of it. A sign pointed us in the direction of the trailhead and the parking lot for hikers. The van was parked and we all got out to stretch our legs a bit before even starting on the trail. Cordelia instructed us to be careful and stay close to the group so no one would get lost. We weren't allowed to use our powers in case anyone witnessed it and would delay us in finishing the hike. 

"Hang on, let me finish my coffee down here so I don't have to carry it." Madison said, quickly drinking down the remainder of what was in her cup.

"Any more requests from anyone, or can we get going?" Cordelia questioned, looking at the other five of us. "Okay then, let's stay in pairs and don't go off too far without the rest of the group." 

And with that, we walked onto the flat gravel that quickly turned into a stone-spotted dirt road with quite an incline. The signs posted on trees said we only had about a mile and a half to get to the summit but it would definitely take longer than usual if it was going to be this steep the whole way. I was already breathing out of my mouth and practically begging to take a short break before continuing on with the road.