Hello everyone! Finally, a new chapter! I want to thank my readers and reviewers for your kind words and support. The past two weeks have been hard, but I've been writing whenever I've felt like it, even if it's only been a few sentences. My grandmother was sent to her final rest yesterday and it was a lovely funeral, even though it was hard to say goodbye. Thankfully, my whole family have come together to offer each other support throughout this whole thing.
I've been working on this chapter for a couple of days and I think it came out rather nice. It will be told from Beth's POV and I hope all of you enjoy it.
And as always, I do not own anything affiliated with TWD. Read on!
10. Heart
Beth was walking down the hallway with purpose in her stride. The pair of scissors tucked away underneath the cast around her wrist was cold against her skin, but she herself was hot as fire; her blood pumping violently in her veins. It had to end, this reign of terror that Dawn brought down on the people here at Grady Memorial. It had to stop and it seemed like Beth was the only one brave enough to do something about it. Maybe some of them didn't really mind being held captive here. She could understand why someone might prefer the safety of the hospital walls to running and living with fear out there on the streets. She could understand how fear and fatigue might make some people take Dawn's dictating ways without question, without standing up to themselves. After all, she had saved their lives, they owed her.
Only, they didn't, not really. Because that was the one thing that Beth just couldn't understand. How Dawn seemed to think that her help equaled everlasting gratitude and debt. Her self-appointed role as savior had gone to her head and she was all the more delusional for thinking that the government would come to the rescue at some point. She believed that she was just holding down the fort until the cavalry arrived. No matter what Beth or anyone else told her, she would keep believing that, because believing otherwise meant accepting that the world truly had gone to shit. That there was nothing left out there, nothing left to do but to give up or to survive (or at least die trying).
Beth would be damned if she gave up. She had people she needed to get back to, people she desperately wanted to see again. Just like Noah, just like most of the people here who had been "saved" by Dawn and her crew. Yes, Beth would be damned if she didn't at least fight for freedom while trying to get back to the people that she loved, the people that now were her family. So she kept walking, with purpose in her stride and determination in her eyes. Dawn was going down.
Suddenly, the double doors at the end of the hallway swing open and two of Dawn's officers come rushing through, one of them pushing a wheelchair in front of him. Beth stops just as sudden and her breath hitches in her throat as she recognize the woman sitting in the chair. Carol. Time slows down to a near stop as Beth takes in the scene. The tears falling from Carol's eyes, the pained expression on her face, her hand clutching her stomach, the blood stain on her pants. Whatever's happened, it's not good and time is of the essence. Then their eyes lock and Beth thinks she's never seen such fear in Carol's eyes. A silent agreement between them; they don't know each other or so they will have to make the officer's believe.
As the officer's rush past her, time picks back up and there is no hesitation as Beth follows them, yelling to them as they roll Carol into an examining room that she was getting Dr. Edwards. Not bothering with knocking, she rips the door open and runs into his room.
"You have to come quick! A woman just came in and she looks really bad, there's blood between her legs and she's clutching her stomach! Hurry!"
Dr. Edwards rises from his chair and Beth doesn't wait for him to follow as she rushes back to Carol's room. The officers have helped Carol into a bed and they're simply standing there looking lost, as Carol's crying and whimpering. Beth can just barely make out what she's saying. No, no, no, please. It's painful to hear and Beth can't remember ever seeing her friend like this, not even after Sophia. She wants to go to her, but she can't, they can't reveal that they know each other. She says a silent prayer as she hears the shuffling of Dr. Edwards' feet and then his voice booming as he orders everybody but Beth to leave the room. He approaches Carol and places a hand on her left arm, in an effort to soothe her.
"Hello, I'm Dr. Edwards. Can you tell me what happened?"
"I was in a crash, my van fell. I thought I was fine, but then I started bleeding" Carol manage to get out between the sobs. Beth can tell that she's trying to get herself under control. The next words out of her mouth shocks Beth to the core. "Please, you have to save my baby!"
Baby? Carol's pregnant? How on earth…? When did this happen and with whom? These thoughts swirl through Beth's head as she's trying to process these startling news and just as quickly the answer as to who comes to her. Daryl. There really can't be anyone else. It's just that Beth thought… never mind that now. If Carol's baby is in danger then they have to save it! For once, Dr. Edwards seem to be on the same page as her.
"Alright, try to stay calm. We'll do an ultra sound and see what's going on. Beth, help me".
"What do you need me to do?"
"There's some gel over in that cabinet. We need it to get a clear image of the baby".
Beth rushes over to the cabinet and starts rummaging through it, soon finding what she's looking for. Returning to the bed, the doctor's turned on an ultrasound machine and pulls it closer to the bed. Taking the gel from Beth, he asks Carol her name. Beth notice the slight hesitation before Carol replies. "Sophia. My name's Sophia".
"Okay Sophia, I'm going to pull up your shirt a bit and put some of this gel on your stomach. Soon we'll be able to see if any damage's been done to your baby".
Carol nods silently and a few tears escape down her cheeks. Beth grabs her hands and give them a reassuring squeeze. I'm here she means to say and the weak smile Carol sends her tells her that the message's been received.
Just as Dr. Edwards' about to start the ultra sound, Dawn walks through the door.
"What's happening? Are you giving this woman an ultrasound? That machine requires a lot of electricity, are you sure it's necessary to use it?"
The anger flares up inside of Beth immediately. Who the hell does this woman think she is?
"She's pregnant and she might lose her baby! You're damn right it's necessary!" Beth says angrily.
Dawn turns her head towards her, as if just now noticing that she's also in the room, then back to Carol.
"You're pregnant? I can't remember the last time I saw a child"
"Yeah, well neither will she if you don't stop stalling!" Beth continues. Dr. Edwards is hovering the machine above Carol's stomach, unsure of what to do.
"Well go on then Edwards, do the ultrasound and see if we can save the child!" Dawn says and Beth doesn't fail to notice her use of the word "we". Holding Carol's hand tight, she turns her eyes towards the screen, praying that the baby's alright. Carol's staring at it to, silent tears still running down her cheeks. Dawn's standing to the side, also looking at the screen. At first, there's nothing. Then suddenly, the sounds of a quick heartbeat fill the room. Beth thinks she's never heard anything quite like it before. It's transfixing; the rhythm of life. She can't help the smile that cracks her lips. Carol exhales next to her and her grip on Beth's hand tightens.
"That" Dr. Edwards says, "is one of the strongest heartbeats I've ever heard. And if you look here", he points to a blob on the screen, "you can see your baby's head".
Beth squints at the screen but she can't make anything out but a blob. Carol, however, smiles and lets out a soft laugh, like she can't believe her eyes.
"I see it. Do you see it? Beth, wasn't it?" she asks and Beth shakes her head.
"No, I don't"
Carol points at the screen and outlines it with her finger. "There, do you see it?" And now Beth do see it. There's a face right there on the screen, she can clearly see its little nose. As Dr. Edwards moves the ultrasound she can see more of the baby and the heartbeats keep up its steady rhythm. Carol' smile fades a bit and her voice is shaking as she asks: "Is it okay?"
Closing her eyes, Beth prays that it is. It would destroy Carol if she lost this baby to. Letting out a breath that she didn't know she was holding, Beth lights up at Dr. Edwards answer.
"Yes, your baby is perfectly fine. There is some tearing to the placenta, where it's come off from the uterus. It's only a minor tearing, so with some rest and some iron pills you should be fine".
Carol lets out a sobbing laugh. "Are you sure? But the bleeding...?"
"Perfectly normal. I'll give you something to stop the bleeding and then, like I said, you'll be fine after some rest".
"Thank you, doctor. You don't know what that means to me" Carol manages through her happy sobs.
"I'll go get you some clean clothes" Beth says, smiling broadly at Carol. She passes Dawn without even looking at her. As she leaves the room, Beth can hear Dawn introducing herself to Carol. No doubt is she telling her that she can stay as long as she likes. Too bad she's forgetting to inform her about the fact that you can't leave until you've repaid your debt (which apparently is never).
Beth half expects Dawn to follow her, but she seems to have other things on her mind and when Beth returns to Carol's room, she only finds Carol in there. Carol's eyes are closed, but Beth can tell that she's not sleeping and when the door slams shut, Carol open her eyes and smile at Beth.
"Got you some clothes".
"Thank you Beth. For everything". The way she says it, makes Beth think that it's just not for today that she's thanking her.
"Don't even mention it. I have to go, I have clean up duty now and Dawn won't be very happy with me if I don't do my chores" she says with a slight annoyance.
"I can imagine" Carol replies. "She seems to be a bit of a chore herself".
"Tell me about it. I'll be back later to check on you".
As Beth put her hand on the doorknob, she turns and looks at Carol.
"Have you seen the others? Are they okay?"
Carol gives her a knowing smile and nods. "They're okay. Maggie misses you". Beth holds back a sod at hearing this. "I miss her to". She falls silent and then she hesitantly asks, "And Daryl? Did he make it?"
"Yes, Daryl's fine. He's gone back to the others to get help".
Beth tries for the door one more time, but stops herself again. Even more hesitant, she finally asks what she really want to know.
"I know it's not my business, but your baby… is… the father, is it…?"
She can't seem to get the words out but somehow Carol seem to understand what she's asking. Nodding, she replies: "Yes, it is".
"Does he know? Is he happy about it?"
"Yes, to both questions".
"Good. I'm happy to, for both of you. You all deserve something good in your life".
"Thank you, honey. Now go on, before they come looking for you".
Beth gives Carol one last smile and then she leaves the room. Sitting alone in her bed, Carol close her eyes and send Daryl a silent prayer. Daryl, please hurry.
