Chapter 34
BPOV
Hunting continued like it had before, just with less touching. Daryl still seemed slightly worked up and tensed almost every time I touched him, like he thought I might jump him any second. He was looking more like his usual self though, with the exception of the bags under his eyes. I felt him on that one, because my eyes looked exactly the same. My bullet wound had taken a few days to heal up, and another week before the muscles in my shoulder worked as they should. The bunker walls had started to feel restricting, so much so that I wanted to leave it as much as possible. I spent a lot of time at the prison and as much time as I could with Daryl, without making it too obvious. Winter storms had slowed the wild game down, and most days we came in empty handed; but the days we did bring something in, it was usually big, like a boar or a deer that could feed us for a couple of days.
The wood stoves were burning almost constantly, at the prison and my bunker, keeping everyone comfortable; which also gave people some work to do gathering more wood. Alice had provided a lot but we were going through it relatively fast, with all the cold fronts that came back to back; which was pretty unusual for this part of the south, according to the Hershel. Judith happened to be born January 9th, according to Beth who kept up with the days on the calendar, a day that we just happened to get 2 inches of snow. I had even helped Hershel with the C-section, which was an amazing experience, but followed by deep sadness as I took in Lori with her baby. She would only be around to enjoy her for a few weeks, but it was beautiful to witness new life coming into the world.
Carl was actually the one that came up with the name Judith after we announced it was girl, causing Rick's gaze to snap to me. When he would learn that what I said I wasn't wrong, not when Alice said it was so, I have no clue; but he too enjoyed his time with his family, taking my advice from not long ago to let go of his strife with Lori. Even though Lori and I never really got on, she no longer looked down on me, like I was some bug to squash. Maybe she had been worried I was going to try to weasel away Rick's affections or something but she got over it, even thanking me as I let Rick cut the cord. The loss would be hard on everyone, especially on Rick and Carl, but everyone would morn the loss in their newly acquired family.
I didn't want anyone else to know about her upcoming death, but it was too dangerous for me not to mention it to someone. Daryl was my first choice, but he was away from the prison almost as much as I was, so up next was Hershel. Plus, maybe he could confirm that there was nothing that could be done about the aneurism when Rick turned on me, like he was most likely going to do after he put two and two together. Hershel too had been upset, but pulled out a stack of medical books and began to do some research; eventually coming to the same conclusion that I had, without the proper equipment and a brain surgeon, there was no hope for her. He promised to keep an eye on her, to make sure she didn't turn and hurt someone when it did happen.
The sickness Alice had talked about had started to show up, first in D-block. Karen, Tyreese's girlfriend, had died even with the antibiotics. Turned out she had a weak heart, and even had multiple surgeries for it before the turn. After that, the sick people were moved to D-block and people were restricted on who could go in and out; each person being confined to their own cell for everyone's safety if they were to die and turn. Hershel had everything under control and insisted that I leave so I wouldn't get sick too. After a lot of pushing on his part and throwing down his 'I'm your elder' card, I backed down and went back to the bunker since I was no longer allowed in C-Block after being exposed. For the next few days, I didn't see Daryl at the meet spot but continued to hunt for the group, asking whoever was at the gate if he was ok and if anyone else was sick. Daryl was fine, but helping Hershel with everything to keep the sickness from spreading even more; and the number of cases continued to rise, including Glenn, who had not been exposed to anyone in D-block.
The pigs they had kept in pens, for emergency food supplies, had died too. New dead ones showed up at the fence with their eyes bleeding, much like Karen's had; showing us that this was widespread, not just here at the prison. The only positive we had going for us at the moment was that the colder weather seemed to slow the dead down dramatically, which made any runs that were needed that much safer. About 4 days after I had left the prison, only returning to toss my kills to whomever was working the gate, I started to feel like shit.
Looking back, I was a fucking idiot, but I didn't want to waste my antibiotics in case they ran low at the prison; so I didn't take any, instead opting for hot soups and relying on my strange healing factor to keep myself well. A healing factor that I knew nothing about really, except that it accelerated what my body would do by itself dramatically... Like I said, I was a fucking idiot. The first day, I had even attempted to go hunt, still wanting to help the others, when I started to feel dizzy and exhausted. I had made my way back, stumbling here and there, to the bunker. Barely able to close the steel door, I locked it in relief and made my way to my medical kit. I got out some Tylenol and some Vicks, still sure I could beat this thing back; like the time I had the Flu in Arizona while mom and Phil were on their honeymoon cruise, a cruise which I opted out of thankfully because I would've ruined the whole trip for both of them. I was up and on my feet by the time they returned, with them none the wiser.
I heated up some soup with the last of my energy, enjoying the warmth from the wood stove while trying to keep everything down. My coughing had gotten so bad that it was making me gag and I was having difficulty breathing in a full breaths of air. Making myself fill some pots of water for a hot bath, I collapsed onto my bed, figuring I would wake when they were ready; but I didn't. When I did wake, I had a high fever and my mouth was dry as the desert. I was very weak as I rolled out of bed and fell to the floor, and crawled my way to bottles of water I had near the bed.
Chugging it down had been a big mistake that set off another coughing fit that cost me the remaining energy I had, making me rest my head on the rug beside my bed as it throbbed. It was cooling down in here as I could feel the cold creep up from the stone floor below; with a glance at the stove, I realized I must have been out longer than I thought, as not even embers burned in the bottom, only ash remained. Deciding I needed to gather my strength to get wood for the stove, I continued to lie on the floor. Under the bed was my laptop that I had just charged, so with one hand I opened it and played one of the videos at random, trying to keep my focus on something so I didn't fall back asleep.
The video was of Jasper, I could barely hear him at first, but he looked really upset. From what I did hear, he kept saying he was sorry, over and over again while his golden eyes glistened with tears that would never fall. He was sorry for so many things in his life, but he was sorry that he wouldn't be around to help me when I needed it; that things they couldn't control took that away and that I was going to suffer badly… Then his eyes darkened to pitch black as he got closer to the camera, and he growled out loudly, only stopping to say he would've made them suffer for what they do to me, that he would've ripped them to pieces for causing me harm. Then he was calm, but eyes still pitch black, darker even, if that was possible, as he stated that he understood his duty to sacrifice himself, to save my family and friends, and that I must understand my orders; to continue on, even when things seemed hopeless, to never give up on what I want. The Major had had made his appearance, being calm and collected and giving orders, before Jasper finally returned. In a rage, he flipped over his beautiful mahogany desk, growling out loudly as it took out half the wall in his study before Alice rushed in to calm and comfort him. Mate, was the last thing you heard him say as he rubbed his face in Alice's hair, before she reached over cutting the camera off. I turned the video on repeat, deciding to watch it again, fascinated by the changes in his persona. Watching the screen was the last thing I remembered, before everything went black.
DPOV
It seem'd all I did for tha last week, was make runs for bleach, vinegar, cleanin' wipes, tissues, 'n trash bags. When I wasn' doin' that, I was burnin' everything that came outa D-block, tryin' ta keep what ever the fuck this was from spreadin'. The people who first got sick were jus' startin' ta get well 'nough ta eat on their own again; Glenn look'd like shit, said he felt like it too. Maggie had lost her shit when her Pa said she could'n come in here, but she'd finally accepted it along with the responsibility of look'n over C-block ta make sure everyone was healthy. My meals were set out on a step outside the C-block doors, 'n someone even brought me an extra set of clothes; with those new damn boxers that I had left in tha packagin' unopened, when we got our totes.
I was jus' finishin' burning some trash from D-Block, when Andrea walked up, keeping her distance; her 'n Oscar had been stayin' up in the guard tower, taken turns on watch. I nodded ta her in greeting 'n she did a little half wave, "I was just wondering if you had seen Bella when you were out on runs?" Shakin' my head no, still stirin' up the bottom of the trash ta make sure it all burned, I wait'd for her ta keep talkin', 'n when she didn', I look'd back up at her. She was ringin' her hands, lookin' pretty upset now, "What's tha problem?" I asked as I went back ta stirin' at the pile of ash. Her voice shook slightly as she answered me, "Well, she had been hunting for us and she was here around the same time every day to hand it off, but today is the third day that she hasn't come back… I… I'm just worried" My head snapped back to her, "Three days?" She answered with a nod, before awkwardly walkin' back ta tha guard tower after I said nothin' else in return.
Three days was a while for her not ta check in, 'specially as much as she was worried 'bout her friends. Somethin' was wrong… I could feel it. Droppin' the stick, I ran ta D-block ta talk ta Hershel. When I burst through tha doors, he was a 'lil startled, "Whoa son, where's the fire?" It took a while for me ta get used ta him callin' me son, unsure how ta take it when it wasn't bein' used as an insult, but I respect'd 'im and let it go. "Ya need anythin' else for a while? Bella ain't check'd in in 'bout three days…" I trail'd off, lettin' 'im fill in the rest. He seem'd shock'd for a minute, before shakin' his head "No, no. You go on now… Make sure she's OK" he told me worriedly. I nodded 'n took off, Andrea was already waitin' at the gate ta let me out as I ran through without a word.
When I made it ta the bunker, tha door was lock'd. Still feelin' somethin' was wrong, I bang'd on the steel, getting' no answer. I pull'd out tha key she never took back, n opened the first door, noticin' the second was already open. I recoiled due ta the smell, n cringed as I raised my weapon, unsure what ta expect inside. Clearin' the first room, I peek'd in tha second, droppin' my bow down ta my side as I took her in, laid out on the floor. It was so damn cold in here, tha stove long burnt out. The smell was comin' from what appeared to be vomit that cover'd her whole front, but her chest was still movin' shakily. Settin' my bow down, I quickly closed tha door after takin' in one last breath of fresh air, then moved ta the stove ta get it lit.
As bad as I want'd ta let in some fresh air, I need'd ta get it warm in here for her. It look'd like she'd tried ta crawl her way ta the stove 'fore throwin' up n passin' out. A laptop caught my eye as I went ta her side, a video playin' that I did'n really understand, but tha battery died as I came ta my knees next ta her, so I decided ta think 'bout it later. Touchin' her face, I felt she was on fire, fever too damn high. "Bella… Bella it's Daryl… I gotta get your fever down girl." I told 'er pointlessly, as she was still unconscious. Pickin' her up, not carin' 'bout the vomit, I'd seen much worse over tha years, 'n took her ta tha tub, doin' tha only thing I knew ta get 'er fever down. I'd had ta do it ta Merle a few times when he OD'd on Ex, so I yank'd tha faucet down and turn'd it on, holdin' her head so she didn' bang it 'round if she came to.
She didn' stir, so I turned tha water colder, "Come on Bella, girl, ya gotta wake up" I pleaded, even Merle would'a been up spittin' a string of cuss words a mile wide by now… She look'd … well, dead. Her eyes were all sunk in, and her pale skin almost look'd gray; her arms had goose bumps but other than that, no reaction at all ta tha cold water. I tried ta shake 'er awake, but she jus' wouldn't come to. So I did the only thing left, n spray'd 'er face with the water as cold as it would go, 'n finally got a reaction. Her back arch'd up and her brown eyes popped open as she cough'd 'n shiver'd "Bella, girl it's jus' me, Daryl" I turned the faucet off, still hold'n her head in my hand.
"Daryl?" she choked out in a weak voice, but still managin' ta smile at me, like she always did. "Yeah, doll, it's me. Girl ya got the fever" I said, tryin' ta pull 'er outa the tub. She start'd coughin' so hard I could feel the muscles in her stomach convulsin', but nuthin' came up as she weez'd in breath after breath. She open'd her eyes up, look'n at me once more as I carried her out of tha bathroom "C…c…cooold" she stutter'd out, 'fore her eyes came ta a close once more. "Bella, Bella doll" I said shakin' her again, "Come on girl, ya gotta stay awake" but it was no use. The wood stove had start'd puttin' out heat, but then came a new problem as I stood here with her drippin' wet. I couldn' take 'er back soakin' wet with a fever, but I had ta get 'er ta Hershel.
Settin' her down on a clean part of tha floor, close ta the stove, I ran my hands down my face, thinkin' bout what I had ta do. "Bella… I don't wanna do this, but I gotta…. Damn." Her breathes were becomin' more difficult, 'n tha rattlin' in her lungs sounded real bad. "Fuck it" I mumbled ta myself as I started ta undo her belt. "Look Bella, I ain't tryin' ta feel ya up, but how in the hell do ya even get these things on?!" I asked, strugglin' ta get the wet denim off her legs. I knew girls liked ta wear their pants tight, but I didn' understand how they took 'em off 'n on, not really ever thinkin' 'bout it till now. Tryin' not ta look as I toss'd the soppin' wet jeans away, I peeled the heavy wool socks off her small feet; noticing as I pressed my hands to 'em try'n ta warm 'em up, just how small they really were, 'n her toenails were paint'd pink.
Movin' ta her top, I did'n mean ta look, but I realized far too late that 'er underwear musta come off with her jeans. Shakin' my head ta clear it, I pulled her up, slidin' the shirt over her head, workin' her arms out and leanin' her forward ta undo her bra. I almost dropp'd her like I'd been burned 'fore pullin' her back up, lettin' my fingers slide over tha outline of a matchin' set of wings on the smooth, pale skin of her back. She weez'd in another breath, shakin' me outa my thoughts as I toss'd the rest of the wet clothes ta the side 'n set 'bout findin' somethin' dry to put on 'er. I pulled open drawers till I found clothes, grabbin' the easiest thing ta put on 'er, a pair of sweats. "Bella, I'm sorry, I'm really tryin' not ta peep at ya but I gotta see what I'm doin' girl" I told 'er, pleadin' my case even though she was unconscious.
I put a heavy pair of sock on 'er, before slidin' her pants up her legs, tryin' not ta notice how soft her legs were, or the fact that she didn' have hair, like anywhere on 'er body. Liftin' her back side up I, slid them the rest of the way on and started workin' her shirt onto her arms; stoppin' only ta look at the tattoos on 'er ribs for a moment, 'fore pullin' it the rest of the way down. I grabbed a towel, rubbin' her hair dry tha best I could, then took 'er over ta the bed; wrappin' her up tight in tha blanket, so only her face peek'd out 'nough ta breath.
"Alright girl, here we go. Ya jus' gotta keep breathin' for me Bella doll. I'm gonna getcha ta some help" I told her, before lifting her inta my arms, cringin' at how much less she weighed compared ta last time I carried 'er. Thinkin' that this was the third time she could die, four if I was ta include the time we saved those girls; there'd been too many for her ta handle, jus' like she said, even as good of a shot as she is. Jus' like the farm, too many walkers ta get away from being injured like she was. The vest she'd thrown at my feet still haunt'd me, that night she kill'd tha cannibals, holes everywhere; shots meant ta hit their marks but only stopp'd by a small vest, with the exception of one that she took in the shoulder. 'N those were only times I knew 'bout; no tellin' what other kinda crazy shit she was gettin' involved in when we wasn't 'round.
Grippin' my bow in one hand under her body, I pull'd 'er up against me, tryin' ta keep her warm as I struggled ta pull the door shut. Unable ta lock it, I took off joggin' back ta the prison holdin' her tight, hopin' not ta come across any walkers for once 'cause I'd have ta drop 'er ta reload. On tha way back, I thought 'bout all the dreams I'd had bout her, 'n how it seem'd she was always knockin' on deaths door. She could die today, right now, 'n I'd be tha one ta have ta take care of it 'fore she turn'd… Sweat pour'd down my face, but I kept the same pace the whole way back, unable to keep from thinkin' that maybe it was wrong of me ta take her choice away from 'er; though I wonder'd, why in the fuck she want'd ta choose me.
"We're almost there Bella, jus' keep on breathin' for me doll" I told 'er as we came up ta the gate, Andrea rushin' down ta open it for once. They both tried ta come closer as I huffed out "She's got tha fever" 'n kept on joggin' toward D-block as they both back'd away. Droppin' my bow ta rip open tha D-block doors, I rush'd in, takin' her ta the cell next ta the one I was stayin' in; collapsin' ta my knees next ta the bunk tryin' ta catch my breath. Hershel came as fast as he could, bag full of supplies in hand, gettin' ready ta fixin' her up with whatever she needed; as I put my back ta the wall 'n slid down, wipin' tha sweat off my face. As I starred at 'er limp body while Hershel hook'd 'er up ta countless bags of medicine 'n what not, I thought that maybe, jus' maybe I'd be tha first Dixon ta change.
Hey, I warned you all in the beginning, slow burn. Snail's pace people, for those complaining; Have you not watched the T.V. show? That poor man hasn't had any action in 10 years people. 10 Years! You want to talk about a slow burn, at least I'm not dragging the storyline out 10 years before either of them makes a move. I've already skipped a few weeks here and there in the story to speed it along. Do you not want a story that keeps you guessing somewhat or just a one shot smut? Not that there's anything wrong with one shot smuts, I happen to plan to write one soon, as I have a simple storyline in mind already. What I'm going for is a build up to make them that much more intense, for the reader to be able to understand the characters… I'm new to writing and I might be wrong about how I am going about the plot line but it's the way it came to mind for me.
Thanks everyone for the reviews and to all that are enjoying the story so far. Daryl seems to be rethinking things after all of Bella's near death experiences.