Quinn, Hilltop

I wiped away my tears once more.

I was all alone that afternoon with my new best friends: sadness and anger. I was glad no one came in that time. I was mourning. When the sun started to go low on the horizon, I pulled myself together, because I knew Daryl would come sooner or later to change the gauze. As I was wiping my face dry with the back of my hand, I heard the door.

Daryl stepped to me without a word, lifted the blanket and my nightgown, just as much to make my belly visible. He examined the gauze, then went to the other room. I heard splashing, I think he washed his hands, then he came back with gauze and scissors. He glanced at me, then removed the previous gauze. He examined the wound. He sterilized it with iodine, then carefully placed fresh gauze on it. When he finished, he covered me back with my blanket and disappeared in the other room. Soon he came back with an infusion in his hands, looking confused.

"How is this thing works?" he growled, examining the attached one on the hanger.

"You have to connect the tube, then hang it," I told him, pointing at the joint. I didn't want to talk to him right now, and I guess he didn't want to talk to me either. He successfully changed the infusion, threw out the old one. I grabbed his hand when he was close enough. He looked me in the eye. I had to talk to him, after all.

"I'm so sorry for keeping you here," I told him, I wanted to apologize and keep his thoughts away from Enid and Tara.

"I want to stay," he growled. I let go of his hand. That wasn't enough, to distract him. He nodded goodbye and left.

I shook my head. I never felt so much of a burden like this before. Clearly, they didn't have time and patience for this now, and yet, Daryl and Jesus wanted to help me.

I was so frustrated, I hit my fists on the mattress. I wasn't able to do anything else. I was furious, I started to cry. Because of grief and because of anger.

…

Negan, Alexandria

Judith looked sad that day when they got back from the fair. Negan was curious about what happened, but the girl hasn't visited him for a couple of days. When she finally showed up, she was still gloomy.

"What's wrong, Judith?" asked Negan worried. He walked to the window slowly. Judith sat down without a word, looked confronted. Like she was thinking about something. Then she finally looked him in the eye.

"A lot of people died at the fair," she said.

"What?" Negan frowned his eyebrows.

"There are these people, who wear dead skin as masks, and they walk with them, behave like them. They attacked us."

Negan was listening, his mouth half-open, frowning his eyebrows.

"What happened exactly?" he asked.

"They… they took some people and killed them. To scare us. It worked," she said sadly.

Negan's thoughts were racing now. Michonne was so afraid to open Alexandria and just as she gave in, this happens… She won't trust anyone ever again… Negan exhaled sharply.

"I'm so sorry, kid. Were there any of your friends among them?" asked Negan. Judith shook her head.

"I don't know all of them. I know they tried to kidnap Carol's son too. She and the king and uncle Daryl was very upset," she said.

Negan nodded understandingly. Judith still seemed to be thinking very hard. Negan had no idea what was going on in the little girl's head, as she was trying very hard to decide whether to tell Negan about Quinn or not… Negan, Quinn is alive! – thought the little girl, but she didn't dare to say it out loud. There was a reason they kept it a secret and it was uncle Daryl's idea… – she eventually decided not to say a word.

"Is there something else?" asked Negan, he had a feeling.

"No," the little girl shook her head quickly, then stood up. "I couldn't bring you a souvenir," she added.

"It's okay. I'm glad you are safe," said Negan with a slight smile. Judith smiled at him too, then left. Michonne was listening from the porch, they didn't notice her. It was when Judith turned around the corner to enter the house, she saw her.

"You didn't tell him," said Michonne quietly.

"No. I guess you had your reasons," she said and went inside. Michonne smiled proudly and followed her inside.

…

Two weeks later

Quinn, Hilltop

Today is the day when exactly one month passed, since the surgery. I was counting the days, because today is the day when I can finally stand up. I made Jesus and Daryl aware too. These two weeks passed in silence, mourning. Jesus and Daryl weren't talking much, even Jesus was very silent. They were really shaken by what happened. I was too, but as this day approached, I decided I should look forward and keep moving on. That's all we could do in this world now. I was counting the minutes, waiting for them to arrive. It was so hard to wait. They were busy again, Jesus had to lead the community, which he hated, and no one volunteered to be the new leader. Also, they were preparing for winter and Daryl helped them out with that.

I hated that I couldn't help them, I just hated the whole thing. I must be more careful next time, once I will be able to go, not to injure myself again because this is hell.

I would rather be dead… so Jesus and Daryl wouldn't have to bother with me… but then, what they already did for me would be in vain. I sighed. I heard the lock on the door.

"Good morning, Quinn," smiled Jesus. Daryl was with him. "Are you ready?" Jesus asked.

"I cannot be more ready," I told them, I was determined.

Jesus stepped to the right side of the bed, Daryl to the left side.

"Which side would you like to land?" Jesus asked.

"Whichever is fine, let's just do it!" I said excitedly. I pulled my arms next to my body and started to very slowly sit up. The guys put their arms behind my back to help me, so I won't squeeze my belly muscles too much.

"Take it easy. Slowly," said Jesus.

"I'm sitting!" I burst into laughter and quickly turned to my right side to hug Jesus.

"Whoa, easy!" he said taken by surprise, but he laughed too. I let him go and glanced back at Daryl, who had a faint smile too, which made me smile even more. I turned back to Jesus and slowly moved my legs to the right side of the bed. I felt the ground under my feet. Daryl came to this side of the bed too. I held Jesus's hands, he was standing right in front of me.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Yes!" I said happily. He started to pull me up slowly and at the same time, I started to put my weight on my legs. Daryl stood by to catch me if I fall. I was on my feet.

"I'm standing! I can sit and stand!" I yelled excitedly. I wanted to jump up and down from happiness, but I wasn't allowed yet. So, I just squeezed Jesus's hands. They were both smiling at me. "I forgot how tall you guys are."

They kept smiling.

"Alright. Now let's take a few steps," said Jesus. He was holding my hands all along like a parent does when they teach their children to walk. I took a few steps, while Jesus was stepping backward. Daryl walked by my side, without touching me.

I smiled uncontrollably.

"I'm healing! I can finally sit and walk!" I said happily.

"Alright now, we should go back to bed," said Jesus gently. I nodded and we walked back. I sat on the bed, then they helped me slowly to lay back.

"I can't believe it! That was fun!" I said still smiling.

"Well, I'm impressed" said Jesus. "You have to do this every day from now on, but you must not try it alone. We are taking turns with Daryl to help you walk."

"Finally, I don't have to use the bedpan anymore…" I said in a grumpy tone. I hated the bedpan and I hated it even more that Jesus had to clean it.

"Just be very careful if you go out to the bathroom," said Jesus. "But I would prefer if you waited for us to help you walk out."

"Alright," I said, smiling again. "It felt like being born again."

"I bet it did," said Jesus still smiling, while he arranged my blanket.

I saw Daryl's faint smile fade away slowly. At least I got to see him smile. It is a rare occasion. I wish I could make him laugh.

They left me alone once again.

I could sit and walk and eat again. Just a little more and I will be free to go. Just one more month.

I will train and I will be fierce. I want to participate in the fights, I want to be useful.

I want to kill Alpha.

…

Author's notes: Listen to "Come alive" by Against the Current.

Thank You for reading! ❤