a/n: sorry again for the long wait between chapters 8 and 9. hope you're still enjoying it. But are Beth and Daryl finally going to make it out and how will Dawn's story play out. Will she be thankful to them for saving her life? Enjoy!

Chapter 10 - Life and Death

"I get it now." said Beth taking a step towards Dawn who was still sprawled out on the floor.

"I get it. You're responsible for all the things that are happening right now. It's all because of you!"

Dawn looked shocked and said nothing for a moment. She thought that Beth was her special little project, someone she could perhaps mould to become the next leader of the hospital.

"But Beth, you still owe me."

Beth folded her arms and stood towering over Dawn. For the first time the roles were reversed. It was now Beth who was in control and had the power. Beth was trying so hard to restrain herself, to not rip Dawn apart limb from limp. She bit her lower lip and tensed every muscle in her body.

They all heard the walkers outside. Some were banging on the wooden door that pounded and made Beth's heart skip a beat each time that sickly thud reverberated around the office. It was only a matter of time till they broke through.

Daryl put another bookcase against the door and stood there leaning all his weight against it hoping that would be enough to stop them.

"The roamers will be here soon." Dawn said with a smirk whilst getting to her feet and dusting herself off. "What do you plan to do?"

Beth closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She clenched her right fist as hard as she could and in one moment of extreme passion and fury and drilled her fist forward until it connected with the side of Dawn's head. The punch rocked Dawn and she staggered backwards but Beth wasn't finished yet. She came at her and hit her again and then a third to her left eye that left a long laceration with blood trickling down the side of her face.

Beth's hand throbbed with pain. She could no longer even make a fist it hurt so much. She shook her hand to try and get some feeling back but it felt like it was broken. But Beth refused to wince. She didn't want to show any pain or weakness now. She was just ready to get even.

Dawn looked dazed and glassy-eyed, her perfect slicked back hair now frizzed up and in a mess. Beth's hand was covered in her blood and she put her touched her head momentarily and saw her hand awash with crimson.

"You bitch! After everything I did for you!"

Dawn tried to clamber to her feet but Beth pushed her against the wall. Dawn put her hands up to defend herself and throttled Beth with her left hand and started choking her. Beth clawed at Dawn's hand trying to get her release her iron-like grip.

Daryl saw what was happening and stopped trying to blockade the door and ran over to pull the two ladies apart. He took both of them by the wrist and held them at arms' length.

"There's no time for this!" he shouted.

Dawn and Beth were still trying to get at each other and Daryl was having a hard time restraining them. He squeezed their wrists harder and pushed them away to opposite sides of the room and sending them both crashing down to floor.

Dawn looked up at Daryl panting and out of breath.

"Why did you save me, Daryl?" Dawn cried. "Why didn't you let me die?"

"I ain't lettin' nobody die. You come with us now, that's the only way."

"You think you're the good guy saving me? You think you're the hero?"

"Ain't no good guys or heroes no-more. It's just us, that's all there is and you either live or you die. And we ain't dyin' today. Not any of us."

Beth gritted her teeth. She was still mad. She still wanted to attack Dawn and let her blood spill. Beth got up first and walked towards Daryl. He put his arm out to try and stop her from getting to Dawn.

"You're going to save her?" Beth asked looking up into Daryl's bright blue eyes.

"You know I am, Beth."

"I understand. It's who you are."

Beth hugged Daryl and Dawn slowly made her way to her feet. She turned away in disgust not wanting to see the two lovers share their moment. She looked across and saw the dead body of Dr Edwards lying on the floor. She knelt down beside him and started to cry.

"You killed him?" she said, her voice starting to shake and crack. "I thought you saved people?"

"He tried to kill me, Dawn!" Beth shouted.

"You're not the good guys after all."

Dawn saw a sudden opportunity to snatch the handgun from Dr Edwards' lab jacket and she spun around and aimed it at Beth and Daryl.

"Not so cocky with a gun in your face, are you?" said Dawn.

"Don't do this Dawn."

Dawn felt more blood trickle down her cheek and still felt the aching bruise cause by Beth's right hook. She wiped her brow with her sleeve.

"Oh, we do have to do this!" she said taking a few paces towards them. "Get on the floor now!"

Daryl and Beth sighed but did as they were told.

"I'm going to die today." said Dawn. "And I'm taking you all with me."

Dawn then motioned towards the door and moved the bookcase that was barricading it. She could feel the door rock. There were more walkers now. If she moved the table, it would be all over.

"Goodbye, you could have really helped save the world. But I guess now you'll just be another wasted life turned into a mindless roamer."

Dawn smiled and felt at peace. She was finally ready to die and take Beth and Daryl with her.

TO BE CONTINUED...