Chapter Text
Madison slowly sank onto her bunk. Her fingers curled around the quilt below her as she scanned the room. Alicia was out with Gretchen and Nick was in the infirmary with Luciana. Still, Madison’s eyes scanned the cabin, looking for any eyes that might peer back at her.
She was glad that her children had friends, or at least were trying to socialize with others. It was good for them to be closer with people their age. And it provided Madison with a few moments to be alone.
Only when she was sure that she was alone did Madison let the hot tears begin to stream down her face. Her breaths did not come in sobs; her shoulders stayed nearly as still as a statue.
Madison tried to focus on her breathing to clear her mind. Yet, stray thoughts managed to seep through. She found herself missing her home, the house in Los Angeles. Then even the hotel was nostalgic. Was Strand still there? Could they manage to keep the peace?
And Travis.
Oh, Travis.
A very small part of her cursed any God that might be listening. Just when they were reunited, everything changed.
But the stronger part of Madison persevered. The Ranch would have to become a safe place for her children, a place to welcome their friends and focus on living rather than just surviving.
A knock sounded on the cabin door. Madison was pulled from her thoughts and was shocked at herself for actually being surprised. She quickly wiped her eyes and stood up.
The hinges creaked as Madison opened the door. There on the other side was Troy. A white bandage still covered his eye, and his messy, brown hair gently fell over part of the bandage on his forehead.
“I wanted to see how you were adjusting,” Troy said while watching Madison. He took in her figure, searching for any weapons or spoons. But all too soon he saw the woman’s puffy, red eyes.
“Good. I’m glad to be here,” Madison responded truthfully.
“Not too much dust in there?”
She shook her head and lightly smiled. “Nothing a little cleaning won’t fix.”
Troy shoved his hands in his pockets and peeked around the woman into the cabin. “The bunk beds always reminded me of a summer camp.”
Madison almost turned her head to follow his gaze. Almost. She stopped herself before she could, unsure of what Troy wanted and how he might treat her. “Did you and Jake go as kids?” she hesitantly asked, trying to keep the conversation passive.
“Uh, no.” He glanced down at his feet and scuffed them against the dirt.
“Does your dad not like you leaving the Ranch?”
“No, the other campers didn’t want me leaving.” He looked up and flashed a mischievous smile.
So he has always been this way, Madison thought.
“I’m… sorry about your husband.”
“I’m sorry about your friends.” Madison gave him a slight nod which he returned. Both had lost a lot, though neither of them knew the true extent of it. Troy didn’t know about anything Madison went through before coming to the border, and Madison didn’t know how many of Troy's people died there. And though she helped cause that, she didn’t feel guilty, not for keeping her family safe.
The two stared at each other for a long minute. At first it was a natural pause, but soon the silence became uncomfortable. Madison wasn’t going to invite Troy into the cabin and he wasn’t going to ask.
“I should get going,” Troy said, slightly annoyed. He scratched the back of his neck, trying to think of something more to say.
Madison nodded once more and closed the door. She silently moved to the window and peeked through the old, moth-eaten curtain. Troy stood by the door for a few moments before finally turning and walking away.