Chapter 23 - Sick

"Open the door! It's Hershel!"

My eyes fly open at the sound of the sound of the yelling and I sit up in bed. I swing my legs over the edge and run out of my cell and look down below, seeing them wheeling Hershel in on a gurney through the door.

"Oh my God." I whisper, running down the stairs to see what's going on.

"Get him on the bed!" I hear Rick yell as I rush into the room.

"He got bit." Rick explains.

"What?" Lori asks.

"We need to get him on the bed." Rick says and I rush into the room and stand beside Lori with Carol on my other side.

"Now." Glenn says.

We lift him and reach him over to the bed, laying him down gently. He is passed out and I look down at the bloody severed stump and feel bile rise in my throat. Carol removes the towels she has pressed against it and let's out a cry, "Oh, I need bandages."

"We used everything we had." Glenn states.

"We'll get more, anything!" She cries out, looking back at the stump.

"Carl get the towels from the bag, right next to my bed." Lori instructs and the boy runs off into the cellblock.

"Is he gonna die?" Beth asks and I shake my head, pulling her against me, "No, he's going to be alright." I say, holding her tightly.

"You think you can stabilise it?" Rick asks Carol who looks white as a sheet.

"I need to keep his leg elevated. Get some pillows!" She instructs.

"He's already bled through the sheets." Maggie states, looking down at her father.

"Burn the wound to clot the blood. I could start a fire." Glenn suggests.

"Oh God no please." Beth cries from my arms.

"No, the shock could kill him. We gotta stop the arteries from bleeding. We gotta keep it dressed, hope it heals on its own." Carol says, her voice shaky.

Glenn leans down and checks his pulse for a minute before he looks back at Carol, "His pulse is extremely weak." He states.

Suddenly we hear yelling from outside he cellblock and I turn to look out the door, "What is that?"

"Prisoners, survivors." He states as he takes in our panicked state, "It's alright, everybody stay put."

I nod and he nods for Glenn to follow him out towards where the others are, their yelling reaching us inside the cell. After a moment Carl runs out and I hear the cellblock door open and close quickly. Glenn and Carl both walk back in.

"What do you want us to do?" I ask, looking towards Lori and Carol.

"There isn't a lot we can do, the bleeding needs to slow down. If we had found the infirmary, maybe we could use some of the supplies. For now we just have to sit and wait until the bleeding stops." Carol says weakly.

Beth lets out a cry and she walks over to Maggie, the two of them embracing as they look at their father. Hershel has been one of the strongest people in our group since the farm fell, someone we relied on heavily. Not just for his medical skills, but also for his wisdom. In every decision that has been made over these past eight months he has had a hand in it. But now as I look down at his unmoving body, I can't help but wonder if this is it?

The thought of losing Hershel makes me sick to my stomach, the last thing that I want to happen. But with the way things are now it could be a real impossibility. As I look towards Hershel I can't help but hope for a miracle, something that will help him heal and make everything better. But is that just wishful thinking, or perhaps is it time for us to finally experience some luck in this world. As I look at him I know that only time will tell.

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"It has to stop eventually right?" Carol asks, taking a clean towel off of Lori and placing it on the stump.

"It's slowed down quite a bit already." Lori says, getting to her feet as she takes the dirty towel away to ring it out in the bucket.

"If we can get him through this-" Carol begins.

"When we get him through this." Lori states.

"We'll need crutches." Carol finishes her sentence.

"Right now we need some antibiotics and painkillers. Or some sterile gauze." Lori says, walking back over towards Hershel.

"There's gotta be an infirmary here. If there is, we'll find it." Carol says.

She stares at Lori for a moment before turning back to the stump, "You gotta be worried sick about delivering the baby."

"Look at me," Lori states and Carol turns to her, "Do I look worried?"

"You look disgusting." Carol states, causing a small smile to come onto Lori's lips, "So do you." She laughs.

She feels Hershel's head for a fever and looks down at him, "We'll get through this." She whispers.

I turn and walk out of the cell, running my fingers through my hair. I feel completely useless right now, standing around and doing nothing while Hershel fights for his life in that cell. I know that there is nothing I can do but it still makes me guilty. Rick, Daryl and T-Dog went off with the prisoners to bring back some food. In exchange, they are going to help clear another cellblock for them to live in.

The prisoners have been locked in the cafeteria for ten months, having no idea of the world that awaited them outside. Rick explained to them what happened, what the world is like now. The idea of having those prisoners living next door to us is unsettling, none of us want them here and they refuse to leave. In order for us to stay peacefully Rick made them the deal to clear out a cellblock for them in exchange for half of their food and to never see them on our side of the prison.

I hear talking behind me and I glance over to see its Maggie and Glenn. I give them their privacy and I go upstairs, knowing there's nothing I can do but wait. I take a seat on the edge of the landing and let my legs hang down. I stare out of the windows, staring at the expanse of trees surrounding the prison. When we first saw it, we thought it would be the beginning of something new. But within a space of a day everything has gone to hell. I rest my arms on the railing and lean my head on my arms, closing my eyes and waiting.

"Foods here."

I look up to see Carl opening the door for them to come in, "Whatcha got?" He asks.

"Canned beef, canned corn. Canned cans. There's a lot more where this came from." He replies as him and Rick walk in carrying boxes and bags.

"Any change?" Rick asks, looking towards the people in the cell.

"Bleeding is under control and no fever. But his breath is laboured and his pulse is way down and he hasn't opened his eyes yet." She explains.

He looks in before turning around, "Take my cuffs and put them on him. I'm not taking any chances."

Glenn takes them off of him as Rick goes and hands the bags to Carl, Lori following after him and they begin to talk. I decide to get up and go down to help begin to sort out the food, giving me something to do while we wait. I walk down the stairs and into the cell where Carl and T-Dog begin to look through the food.

"What's the plan now?" I ask, looking to T-Dog.

"We're now going to go and clear out the cell block for them." He states.

"You think it's a good idea?" I ask, tilting my head to the side.

He shakes his head, "No, but what other choice do we have?"

I shrug my shoulders, "I don't know, but I don't feel right about it."

"None of us do, but that's what we're doing." He says.

I nod my head and he walks over, giving my arm a squeeze before turning and walking out of the cell. Carl gives me a look before turning and walking out of the cell after him. I rub my hands over my face and let out an exhausted breath. I turn and look towards the pile of food before I get down to my knees, sorting through the haul that we got today.

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We stand in the cell, completely silent and still. It's been like this for awhile now, no one really wanting to say anything though we are all thinking the same thing. I can't help but wonder how the guys are doing with the prisoners. Are they okay? Has everything gone to plan? Or has something gone wrong? The sound of a gate opening draws my attention and I turn to look towards the door of the cell.

"I thought you were keeping an eye out." Glenn says.

"Even better." I hear Carl reply, a smile in his voice.

He walks into the room with a duffel bag in his hands, "Check it out." He says, placing it on the ground.

Carol gasps as she begins to rifle through it and grabbing the medical supplies, "Where did you get this?" Lori asks.

"I found the infirmary. Wasn't much left, but I cleared it out." He says with a grin.

"You went by yourself?" Lori asks and he nods, "Yep."

"Are you crazy?" She gasps, looking at him with wide eyes.

"It was no big deal, I killed two walkers." He says.

She turns and gestures to Hershel's unconscious body before looking back at him, "Alright do you see this? This was with the whole group."

"We needed supplies so I got them." He argues.

"I appreciate that-" She begins but he cuts her off, "Then get off my back!" He yells at her.

"Carl!" Beth yells, looking up at him, "She's your mother, you can't talk to her like that." She states and he looks down at her before glaring up at his mother.

"Look I think it's great that you wanna help-" She begins when he storms out of the room angrily.

She looks after him with a hurt expression before turning back to Hershel, helping Carol with bandaging up and applying the medicine. I glance behind me and see Carl storming up the steps to the second landing. I turn and make my way up the stairs, walking over to where he paces.

He notices me and glares, "I don't need you coming after me, I'm not a baby."

"I don't think that." I say, folding my arms over my chest and leaning against the wall.

"Then why did you follow me?" He asks, tilting his head to side and giving me a look.

"I wanted to say thank you." I say.

"Really?" He asks and I nod my head, "Yeah, getting those supplies may have just saved Hershel's life."

He looks at me for a moment before shaking his head, "Thanks, I just wish other people would see that." He mutters and I know who he is referring to.

"Give her a break, she's just looking out for you as best she can." I say.

He shakes his head angrily, "No, she's always like this. She thinks I'm just some kid and that I can't take care of myself."

I turn the side of my mouth up and I walk over to the edge, taking a seat like I did before. I turn and pat the space next to me and he gives me a look. I roll my eyes and pat it once more. He looks at me for a moment before walking over and taking the spot next to me. I look out the window before I begin to speak.

"When I was your age, I would have killed to have a Mom like yours." I say.

"Really?" He asks and I nod my head, "Yeah. My Mom wasn't around much then and I had to stay with my father."

"What's wrong with that?" He asks.

I chuckle bitterly, "Well my Mom was always working and my Dad used to laze around the house, drinking, smoking and sleeping with whatever woman he decided to bring home that day. Most days he didn't even know I there, I might as well not have existed for him." I say.

He remains quiet as I continue, "My Mom worked hard at providing for us, but she was never home. So I had no one looking out for me, I could have ran away and neither of my parents would have noticed for weeks."

"What happened?" He asks eventually when he realises I'm not saying more.

I continue to stare out the window as I think back, "My Dad left us for one of the waitresses my Mom worked with, taking most our money that we had saved. And my Mom, well she didn't take it too well."

"What did she do?" He asks quietly.

"She turned to alcohol and drugs, didn't go to work anymore so she lost her job. Most days she never got out of bed. I had to take care of her, knowing that she was in position to take care of me. It was at that point when I knew that I was on my own." I say, a feeling a sadness coming over me whenever I think about my childhood.

I turn away from the window and look at him, "I know that you think your Mom doesn't understand that you're not a little kid anymore and that she wants to keep you sheltered. But that's what good Mom's do, that's what they will always do. They want to protect you at all costs and keep you safe no matter what., especially in a world like this. And it may be frustrating at times, but it's something you shouldn't take for granted. You're Mom loves you, more than anything in this world Carl. She just wants what's best for you. Give her a break, cause she's doing the best she can."

He remains quiet as he looks down towards the ground below. I get to my feet and give him one last look, "Just think about it."

I turn and make my way back down the stairs, leaving the boy alone to think about what I said. I know it's not something he wanted to hear, but it's something that needed to be said. I've noticed Lori try her hardest with both Carl and Rick and it has begun to wear her down. She has so much on her mind and I just wanted to do something for her. She really needs someone to look out for her at the moment. I walk to the cell and stand in the doorway once more, looking over towards Hershel and continue waiting for a miracle to happen.

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Lori sits on the stairs with her hands cradling her belly, her eyes staring at the ground absentmindedly. I lean against the wall of the cell block opposite of the cell. Maggie kneels beside her father inside while Beth and Carl wait outside. I close my eyes and lean my head back, exhausted from the events of today.

"Do something!"

My eyes snap open as I hear Beth yell, "Somebody help!"

Lori and I rush to our feet, running into the room. I move Beth and Maggie back as Lori leans down beside Hershel, laying her head against his chest to hear if he's breathing. Beth cries from beside Maggie and Carl looks on with scared eyes. Lori pulls back and breathes into Hershel's mouth, beginning to perform CPR.

"Come on." She breathes, leaning down to breath into his mouth again.

Without warning Hershel grabs at her and the girls scream as I rush forward and drag Lori away from Hershel. We all stare at the man as he looks around wildly, his eyes not focusing on anything. He calms down and becomes unconscious once more. I turn and see Carl holding up his gun, aiming it at Hershel's head.

"Somebody wanna let me in?" I hear Glenn call out.

I turn to Carl who doesn't move and I walk over and take the keys off of his belt. I walk out of the cell block and take a deep breath and Glenn looks at me with wide eyes, "What happened?"

I unlock the door and open it up, "Hershel stopped breathing."

"He what?" He asks.

"Lori gave him CPR and then he grabbed her. She's fine, they both are but it was scary." I explain, locking the door behind him.

He turns and walks towards the cell and I follow in after him, standing in the doorway. Maggie and Glenn embrace each other as Lori holds onto Beth, trying her best to calm her down. I look towards Hershel and it seems as if nothing happened, that he is just sleeping peacefully. We all stand around, anxious for Rick and the others to get back. Some time later, we hear the door open and I turn to see that they have returned.

"Hershel stopped breathing. Mom saved him." Carl explains.

"It's true." Glenn states as Rick looks into the room.

He gives them a nod before walking in past us. I turn and see Daryl stop behind me, leaning his arm up against the wall above me. I see he is covered in blood and I reach my hand up and wipe some off of his cheek. I turn and see Maggie sitting on the bed beside Hershel and soon we hear his breathing get louder. I look forward and see his eyes slowly flutter open, looking around him.

"Daddy?" Maggie asks.

"Daddy." Beth breathes, stepping forward beside her sister.

Rick reaches forward and undoes the cuff around Hershel's wrist and I let out a relieved smile. The girls fawn over him and he reaches his hand up, taking Rick's in his own. Rick kneels down and looks at the man, a relieved look on his face. The girls embrace and I can't help but smile at the sight. Lori turns and walks out to the room past Daryl and I and soon Rick follows after her.

I decide that it's best to leave the family alone and I turn, my arm brushing against Daryl's as I walk past. I walk over and make my way up the stairs and I hear footsteps following behind me. I walk across the landing and into my cell, running my fingers through my hair. I turn and see Daryl waiting in the doorway of my cell. I take a seat on my bed and lay back, looking at the base of the bunk above me.

I hear him place down his crossbow and walk in, laying down beside me with one arm under his head, the other laying down his side. We lay there for a moment, neither one of us saying anything. I think about everything that has happened today, about how messed up it all was. But one thing stands out, Hershel is alive. I got my miracle. As I lay here I can't help but feel exhausted, drained after everything that has happened today.

I turn onto my side and lift his arm up and he looks down at me confused. I wrap it around my shoulders and I lay my head down on his shoulder, my hand resting against his chest. I close my eyes and bury my head in before letting out a heavy breath through my nose. We lay like this for a moment before his hand moves from my shoulder to my waist and I smile at the contact. I feel myself begin to drift to sleep, the world around me slowly falling away. The last thing I feel before I go to sleep is a kiss being placed in my hair. I fall asleep with a smile on my face and in the arms of the man I have loved for my whole life.