twd: the last silence

Chapter 98 – "Wounds and Ghosts"

They found a quiet spot between the trees, a little hollow near a dried creek bed. Axel cleared the area in minutes, his blade quick and precise, always humming softly like he was carving the air itself. Maggie watched him, arms crossed, her movements slower than usual—pain still present, but dulled now.

When the fire was lit and the sun began to dip behind the woods, Axel clapped his hands together and turned to her with a grin.

"Okay, check time. Shirt off, Maggie girl."

"Haa?" Her face twisted between offense and shock.

Axel blinked, then let out a deep, boyish laugh. "Oh my God, you should've seen your face! Damn near art."

Maggie rolled her eyes, the corner of her mouth twitching.

"Okay, okay. Relax. Just lemme check the wound, time to change the bandage. Keep your shirt on—unless, you know, you really want me to die tonight."

Despite herself, Maggie chuckled under her breath. She slowly sat on a log, unbuttoned just enough for Axel to inspect the bandage wrapped around her shoulder and upper chest. His hands were surprisingly careful. Gentle, almost reverent.

"Still clean," he muttered. "You're healing good, love. Fast too."

When he finished, they sat in silence. The fire cracked quietly. The night buzzed with distant sounds—crickets, wind, and the occasional groan of a walker far off.

Maggie stared at the flames for a long time before she spoke.

"I used to think about what our life would look like. Me and Glenn."

Axel didn't move.

Didn't grin.

Didn't joke.

He simply listened.

"A house. A garden. Maybe two kids... Glenn wanted a pizza place. Can you believe that? In a world like this, he still believed in dough and cheese and laughter."

Her voice trembled, just slightly.

"And I believed in him."

Axel leaned back on his elbows, looking up at the stars.

He don't know Glenn.

But he knows Negan

And he heard the story

The blood, and crying, and a bat.

He still worked with Negan, kind of. But not for power. Not for cruelty. He'd changed the Sanctuary before ever stepping into Alexandria. Brought order. Fairness. Strength without abuse. Violence with rules.

But he said none of that.

He just listened.

Because in that moment, Maggie didn't need a savior. She didn't need a soldier or a killer or a flirt.

She needed someone to be still.

And Axel—chaotic, unpredictable Axel—was still.

---

The fire had long since gone cold.

Maggie stirred awake to the morning chill and the sound of birds in the trees. For a second, she forgot where she was—then the pain in her shoulder reminded her.

She turned slowly… and saw Axel.

Still awake.

Still sitting in the same position as last night.

But something was different.

His eyes—usually dark, star-like, filled with dangerous humor—were bloodshot, hollow, yet burning. Red as coals, locked in place. He didn't blink. He didn't move.

He looked… wrong.

Not tired.

Not sad.

Just… gone.

"Axel?" she said, her voice low, cautious.

He didn't respond right away. His head moved slightly, scanning the treeline. She followed his gaze and for one terrifying moment—just one—she didn't see a boy anymore.

She saw something else.

Something monstrous behind those tired eyes. Something old. Cold. A shadow of death coiled behind that smirk he wore so easily.

Her heart stuttered.

"Axel?" she repeated.

And then, as quick as lightning, his expression snapped back.

A familiar grin.

A teasing voice.

"Good morning, love."

It was like the monster had been stuffed back inside his skin, locked behind a mask again.

Maggie didn't say anything. She just nodded and began packing. But her hands shook slightly as she did.

They made their way back to Alexandria in silence at first, walking through broken roads and abandoned fields, avoiding walkers like shadows.

Eventually, Axel broke the silence with a yawn.

"So... I'm guessing I don't look my best today?"

Maggie glanced at him.

"You look like hell."

He grinned wider. "Flattering. I try."

She didn't laugh.

He noticed.

"It's the eyes, huh?" he asked, kicking a small rock down the road.

She didn't answer, but the silence was loud enough.

"No sleep for two days," he muttered. "Didn't want to. Couldn't, really."

"Why not?" she finally asked.

Axel didn't smile this time.

"Because the minute I close my eyes, I remember everything I've ever done."

Then he winked.

"And I'm trying really hard to be your favorite boy, Maggie girl. Can't afford bad dreams right now."

They walked the rest of the way to Alexandria as the sun rose higher, washing them in gold. From a distance, the gates of home stood tall. Strong.

But as they got closer, Maggie couldn't help but wonder—

Was Axel coming home?

Or was the demon behind his eyes just waiting to wake up again?

---

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