-Daryl-
Daryl woke up in the same position that he fell asleep in, he was sitting on a small chair beside Carol's bunk his hand entwined in hers. He looked at Carol and frowned, she showed no signs of waking up and it has almost been three days since she tripped and hit her head running through the god awful tombs.
Daryl heard small footsteps coming down the hallway and enter the cell.
"How's she doing?" Lizzie said staring deeply at Carol. Daryl didn't say anything and it made the girl impatient. "Daryl, how's she doing?"
Daryl turned his attention to the young girl and her sister, and then looked back at Carol. "Fine." Daryl barked. He realized he was still holding her hand but didn't feel like letting go so he held on to it tighter.
"Carol?" Mika called out making her way to the edge of the bunk, "She will wake up... Right?"
Daryl looked at the worried faces of the two girls. They really cared a lot about Carol. Carol was kind and friendly to everyone. After the death of Lizzie and Mika's father Carol was the care taker of the girls. It wasn't exactly easy at first but after talking and fighting back and getting stronger the girls really took a liking to Carol and Carol really took a liking to the girls. Carol had her doubts because of the whole Sophia thing but she took the girls in with open arms.
"Yeah... I hope so." Was all Daryl said hoping the girls didn't ask him anymore questions, he wasn't prepared to answer them and he certainly didn't want to. The girls sat there for a little while longer before saying goodbye to Carol and walking out. Once again it was just Daryl and Carol.
-Carol-
Carol woke up tired and sore. She tossed and turned all night getting no sleep, something was keeping her up but she didn't know exactly what it was. She sat in bed hoping Ed didn't wake up. She kept getting that unexplainable feeling, the words that Sophia spoke earlier to her kept swimming around in her head.
"You will be fine without me. Remember that okay?"
What could they mean? Carol shrugged and decided to get up, Ed would be up soon and she needed to start breakfast. She just finished making eggs when Ed lazily walked into the kitchen muttering about something.
"What, no good morning kiss?" Ed said glaring over at Carol.
Carol stiffened but slowly made her way over to Ed muttering a good morning and kissing him lightly on the cheek. Ed grabbed her arm that was still recovering from the last time he grabbed her. Carol winced but it only made him smirk.
"Get my god damn breakfast woman!" Ed said letting go of her wrist and pushing her away from him.
Carol let out a breath relieved that she didn't get hit, she was certainly expecting it. After Carol gave Ed his eggs he got up without saying thanks and left the house. Carol quickly got Sophia up and started cleaning the kitchen. She looked up when Sophia lazily made her way into the kitchen dressed and ready for school.
"Ready to go to school?" Carol said giving a small smile to her daughter.
"Yeah I guess..." Sophia shrugged then she turned to Carol, "Thanks mom."
Carol eyed Sophia, "For what?"
"For being so great, I love you. Never forget that okay." She reached over and hugged Carol. She let go of Sophia and looked her in the eyes.
"I will NEVER forget." Carol smiled, "I hope you never forget that I love you!" She playfully grabbed Sophia and gave her another big hug.
"I know mom, I know. Don't worry it will be over soon." Sophia said quietly.
Carol heard Sophia mutter something but didn't ask what it was; she was just focused on what chores and tasks she had to do today before she picked Sophia up from school and before Ed got home.
-DARYL-
it was about the afternoon and Daryl still hadn't moved from his chair beside Carol. He stared up at her sleeping body for the billionth time that day and wished he stayed with her instead of being a hothead and taking off. He regretted everything he said and every time he pushed her away and now that she is in some sort of coma all he can think about is every mean thing he has ever said to her.
Daryl was lost in thought when there was a small knock on the cell bars. He quickly let go of Carol's hand mumbled for whoever it was to come in.
"Daryl..." Rick said walking further into the cell, "We are running low on supplies. You gotta go on that run soon. They need you."
Daryl looked at Rick. He looked serious. The most serious he's looked in the past couple months to be honest. Daryl knew they were low on supplies and going on a hunt wouldn't be a bad idea, but Daryl wasn't going to leave her. He couldn't.
"I'm not leaving her."
"Please Daryl. We need you, you're stronger than most of us. The last time they went on a run all shit broke loose and you knew what to do, what if that happens again and you aren't there?" Rick sounded desperate.
"Who the hell do ya think ya are? Ya backed down as our leader, ya stopped callin the shots. You can't control me." Daryl said shifting in his chair, Rick was starting to set him off but since Carol got injured everyone seemed to set Daryl off.
"Daryl... We need you. She needs you..." Daryl looked over at Carol and back at Rick, "When she wakes up she's gunna need food and stuff that will strengthen her, she's getting weak."
Daryl paused thinking hard about what Rick said. He slowly got up and looked down at Carol once more before turning to Rick.
"Fine." Daryl ignored Rick and walked out of Carol's cell and straight into Hershel's. He hasn't spoken to Hershel since he yelled at him a couple days ago. Hershel was reading a book but put it down when Daryl approached him.
"Hello." Hershel said glad Daryl was finally out of Carol's cell.
Daryl nodded a hello then ran his hands through his hair. "Listen, I'm going on a run an I want ya ta watch over her... Make sure she's okay..." Daryl didn't look Hershel in the eyes; instead he was focused on the ground.
"Sure Daryl." Hershel smiled, "I can do that."
Daryl nodded, and then quickly left the cell. He wanted to go on this run as fast as possible so he could safely get back to Carol. After Daryl left the cell he walked straight back into Carol's cell where Rick was still waiting for him.
"I got Hershel ta watch er…"
Rick put his hand on Daryl's back, "Thanks… I'm gunna go tell the others to get ready. I guess I'll see you later then?" Daryl nodded and watched as Rick left the cell. Daryl was going to leave on the run in maybe an hour. He sat in the chair and looked at Carol, her chest was slowly rising and falling.
"She will probably hate me when she wakes up" Daryl thought getting up from his chair, "I'm sorry. I should have been there." Daryl whispered leaving her cell to get ready for the run. He nodded to Hershel as he stepped out, "Take care of her."
"I will." Hershel said wobbling into her cell.
Daryl packed his crossbow and grabbed his leather jacket then headed out the door to the prison. When he exited he spotted Lizzie and Mika playing in the court yard and frowned knowing that while Carol was unconscious nobody was watching over those girls. Everyone was too busy with something else they didn't need to watch over two little girls. Daryl looked at the girls and hesitated before calling them over. They looked at each other in confusion before slowly making their way over to him.
"stayin out of trouble?" Daryl asked.
"Yeah I guess." Lizzie said in a questioning tone, "Why do you care?"
Daryl looked at the girls then back at the prison.
"Cause Carol isn't here ta watch ya. Stay out of trouble… for her." They both nodded and he walked away from them, but the two girls followed him to his motor cycle.
"Where are you going?" asked Mika
"On a run."
Mika looked over at Lizzie and Lizzie frowned. "So who is watching Carol?" she questioned.
"Hershel. I'm sure he would want some company if ya girls wanted ta go visit her." Daryl said getting on his bike and signalling to the others he was ready. Without anymore words Lizzie and Mika turned and headed into the prison.
-CAROL-
Carol waited, watching all of the kids getting let out of school. She kept an eye out for Sophia and waved to her as she walked out of the school with her backpack.
"Hey mom!" Sophia said smiling.
"Hi, sweetie. Have a good day at school?" Carol said grabbing her backpack.
"Ya. I guess… I love you mom!" Sophia suddenly grabbed Carol and gave her a big hug. Carol tried to separate Sophia from her but she wouldn't budge.
"Sophia, are you okay? You've been acting strange lately." Carol questioned, "Did something happen at school?"
"No." Sophia said finally letting go of her mom, "It's just its gunna be over soon and I love you."
Carol bent down so she was face to face with her daughter. "What are you talking about Sophia?"
Sophia looked like she was about to answer when her face looked as if all the emotions she was feeling disappeared. "Dads here."
Carol looked at her daughter then over to the parking lot. Ed was there and Carol frowned. Usually Ed made Carol walk to pick up Sophia even in the winter. Ed didn't do stuff for anybody and this made Carol feel nervous. She slowly approached the car with Sophia walking behind her.
Ed rolled down the window and barked at her, "Get in the car woman!"
Carol nodded and helped Sophia get in the car. After she got in herself Ed started driving.
"Yer glad I decided to pick your sorry asses up, from this junk hole." Ed said staring out on the road.
Carol turned her head out the window, something was wrong but she couldn't exactly say what it was. Ed went to move the car mirror and Carol unintentionally flinched causing him to frown, Carol ducked her head in hopes she didn't get hit in the car with her daughter sitting in the backseat. They drove a little longer and Carol moved her gaze from the floor of the car to out the window. As she looked out the window and noticed he drove past the street they usually take to get back home.
"Ed… you missed the street…" Carol said quietly hoping that wouldn't anger him.
Ed reached his hand over and locked the doors. "We ain't goin home."
"W…Where are you taking us?" Carol questioned feeling nervous something was very wrong.
Ed looked over at her and she bowed her head looking at the ground. "Were goin for a ride, don't ask me again!" He reached over his seat and slapped Carol's arm.
Carol looked up at him again wide with shock, "Ed… are.. are you drunk?"
Ed didn't respond but instead increased the speed of the car.
"Ed! Please let us out. This isn't safe!" Carol said louder than she should have. She looked over to Sophia who was looking at her with a mixture of fear and sadness. "Ed please…" Carol begged again.
"No bitch. I ain't pullin over!" Ed pushed the gas a little more increasing the speed once again. He started weaving in and out of traffic. Carol had panic on her face and she looked over to Sophia again.
"I love you mom, Never forget!"
The next thing Carol saw was another car heading straight for theirs. She called out Sophia's name one last time before blacking out.