Chapter 10: I'm Just Tired
She hadn't seen or heard from Eric, Pam still came by her house or the bar, the first time she'd come to her house she'd brought a box of Madison's things. Madison felt like she was taking a bomb rather than a box of her things from Pam, it had been like taking a bullet; Pam had been surprisingly sympathetic;
' Sugar I was with Eric when he first made me, I was a bit naïve and I thought it would just be the two of us, of course it wasn't so I know how you feel'
' I shouldn't have done that to him though, how is he?' Pam couldn't help taking in Madison's slightly dishevelled appearance, sweats and tied up hair weren't her usual wardrobe,
' He's reverted back to sheriff Eric, barely speaks to anyone, mostly he's just intent on finding Appius and Alexei now'
' Is he with anyone else?' she tried to make it sound casual but Pam knew Madison better than that,
' No, he hasn't looked at anyone…yet'.
The "yet" stuck in Madison's mind, she was aware Eric would probably find someone else, even if it was just for sex but it still made her stomach twist uncomfortably.
A week after Pam's latest visit, with the "yet" still tattooed on her mind, Alcide came by. She knew after what happened he'd been avoiding her and he was still struggling to make eye contact with her,
' Hey Maddie'
' Hey Alcide, what can I do for you?'
' I…I just wanted to apologise, what happened that day…I know it shouldn't of happened and I'm sorry about you and Eric, I was just so cut up about losing another pack member…. it's not an excuse…I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry'
' It's ok, it took two of us, things between me and Eric just weren't right'
' Yeah but now you're miserable and I hate that I played a part in making you unhappy'
' It's ok Alcide I wasn't totally happy before, it hasn't been the same since the whole Prudence thing, I just found it hard to trust him again after that'
' That's understandable, every time I got back with Debbie I used to wonder what the hell I was doing being in a relationship with someone I didn't even trust'
' Right pair we are huh?' she said smiling, Alcide smiled back and suddenly all the tension and guilt melted away and she remembered what a good friend he was;
' Friends?' she said holding her hand out
' Forever' he said smiling and shaking her hand.
Madison sat in Dr Ludwig's waiting room, she'd been so run down and her dad had finally snapped and said if she didn't go to a doctor soon he'd force her himself. She'd relented but only on the agreement she could go to Dr Ludwig, she knew what was wrong with her, she hadn't fed for over three months and despite the fact that she could survive without feeding, it made her weak and tired. Dr Ludwig ambled out of her office and waved Madison in,
' So what appears to be the problem Madison?'
' I'm just tired, I haven't fed for a while and it's making me a bit run down'
' I heard you and Mr Northman have separated could this be adding to your current state?'
' Yes I have been a bit low since the break up' Dr Ludwig gave her a strange look
' How long have the two of you been apart now?'
' About three months, why?'
' Just curious, may I ask what caused the break up?'
' I slept with someone else'
' I see' Madison eyed her curiously as Dr Ludwig turned around and began writing something down.
' So how'd it go?' her dad said anxiously, he'd insisted on waiting in the car outside,
' I'm fine she said I'm just a bit run down, stress and all'
' But you're ok?'
' I'm fine dad' she said defensively
' Maddie…I know it would be easier to talk to your mother about these things but you know you can talk to me anytime'
' I know dad I'm sorry…I'm just tired' he nodded but she could tell he didn't believe her.
He dropped her off and pulled away, she sat on her couch and pulled the small envelope out of her bag, she stared numbly at its contents. That night she wandered the dark alleyways of Shreveport, she needed to feed it had come to the point where she could no longer ignore her thirst. She came across a man hunched in the corner, he was rifling through a woman's purse that he'd obviously just stolen of a poor helpless woman. She moved slowly and swiftly and pounced, she drank quickly and dropped his limp body back onto the damp concrete; she wiped her mouth and turned around to leave but stopped dead at the sight before her.
Eric stood stone still in front of her, his hands in his pockets and a stony look on her face,
' Good evening Madison'
' Hi Eric'
' Out to feed?'
' Yeah…it's been a while…Eric why are we talking like two people who barely know each other?'
' I thought that's what you wanted?'
' You know it isn't…how are you?'
' Fine, you seem tired, are you ill?' it warmed her a little to hear the faint tone of concern in his voice
' Just a little run down' her voice shook as he began walking closer to her
' That's not all though is it?' she had a strong feeling he didn't require an answer and she was right, he moved closer so they were only a few inches apart and placed his hand on her lower abdomen,
' Congratulations' he said coldly as his hand gently squeezed the flesh in his palm, she wanted to talk but she couldn't find any words, she looked up at Eric and couldn't stop her eyes filling with tears,
' I wish you well and hope you will be very happy' Eric said removing his hand and walking away before she could take a breath.
Madison sat on her couch and looked at the small picture of the tiny baby growing inside of her. She was completely torn between happiness and sadness, she was happy that she was being given a chance at a baby after years of doctors telling her it would be impossible. But at the same time the whole situation saddened her, she wished this was happening under different circumstances, she placed her hand on her stomach and her heightened senses allowed her to feel the small thump of the baby's heartbeat inside of her.
Review or no update x