All Nightmare Long

Chapter 400

Author's Note: Four hundred chapters! Thank you all for the love and support. I squeele when people tell me that they love Jewel so much that they don't like Michonne with him! Now that's high praise! So, this chapter should be something special huh? When I saw season 6 finale, I thought ok why are they taking Maggie to the Hilltop if they have a doctor in Alexandria. I knew that at some point I would have to have Ronnie die. This is the perfect time and she is fine with it. I hope I make it realistic with the conversation she has with Beth about her decision. Please review, this is a special chapter, it's 400.

Beth and Ronnie's POV:

Beth looked out the window at the sound of the crash. "Walkers' are coming through the wall," she said as she grabbed her rifle.

"You aren't going out there are you?" Noel asked as Ronnie finished checking his bandages.

"I have to," Beth said. "I can't sit in here and do nothing when I can help out there," she said.

"I have to get to the infirmary, people are going to be injured and need help," Ronnie said as she packed her bag up.

"Take Liam, go upstairs, barricade yourself in, and be quiet," Beth instructed.

Noel nodded at Liam to go upstairs as he walked over to the two women. "I understand that you two feel like you need to do this," he said but was interrupted by Beth raising her hand.

"We have to do this, not only for our family but for everyone that lives here. You know that most of these people can't fight themselves out of a brown paper bag. I can't stay in here just waiting for it to be over. My pregnant sister is out there, not to mention everybody that I love," she told him. A few months ago, I would have stayed inside and waited, but I'm not that person anymore. Go upstairs with Liam, you're injured and you would do no good out there. Go upstairs and stay with Liam, I know Phoebe would appreciate it," she assured him. "You sure you want to try to make it to the infirmary?" she asked Ronnie.

"They're my family too," Ronnie said.

Beth nodded as she looked out the window and then went to the door. "Machete's first, save the bullet's until it comes absolutely necessary. We stay together, we work as a team, we take out as many as we can on the way to the infirmary," she instructed.

"We help as many people as we can on the way," Ronnie added.

Beth nodded. "If we are blocked off from the infirmary, we make it to the closest house or building and get inside with as many people we can," she added. "On the count of three," she instructed as she put her hand on the door knob. "One, two, three," she counted as she swung open the door and both women went outside with weapons raised and she pulled the door closed behind her. "Let's go," she instructed as both of them bolted down the steps. "Go, go, go," she said as they both ran toward the infirmary, taking down walkers' as they went.

Ronnie brought down her machete through the head of a walker, stumbling backwards slightly as she tried to remove the machete from the head of a walker, feeling pain radiating on her left lower arm. She screamed as she felt the pain and saw Beth take out the walker with her machete. She saw Heath run over and helped her.

"You're going to be OK," Beth told her. "We aren't going to make it to the infirmary, back up to Noel's house!" Beth yelled. "Ronnie, you're going to be OK, do you hear me?"

Heath looked at her. "She's been bitten, that means a death sentence."

"If we can cut off the arm quickly enough, she has a chance. My daddy was bit, Rick and Jewel cut off his leg and he lived. Open the door!" Beth barked to Heath. "Ronnie, answer me!" she yelled as she helped her up the stairs.

"I'm here," Ronnie said through clinched teeth.

Beth walked into the house with her, putting her on the couch. "Noel keep Liam upstairs, bring me towels! Heath hold out her arm," she barked.

Ronnie looked up at Beth and saw the hatchet and grabbed her arm with her good arm. "No," she told Beth.

"Ronnie, you have a chance if we do this, but we have to do it quick,"Beth said.

"Beth, I've been bit, and I know there's a chance if you do this, but it's my choice. Just like if I had died in the old world, I wouldn't have wanted them to try revive me. This is my choice, Beth, please respect that," Ronnie begged.

Noel and Heath both stood and looked at her while Beth took a breath and put down the hatchet. "Alright, but I'm staying with you," she told the older woman.

"So we're supposed to let you turn?" Heath asked.

Ronnie gave a small smile. "That's not how we do it, not in this family," she said as she squeezed Beth's hand.

"We take care of our own," Beth said as she touched Ronnie's head. "The fever is starting," she told her.

"I...can feel it," Ronnie said.

"Why didn't you want her to try to save your life? If there was a chance," Noel said.

"We don't have a lot of control over our lives now, this is a choice that I still have control of. I...want to write Jewel and Rick a note," Ronnie said.

"I'll get you a pad and paper," Noel said.

"You should start..closing blinds Heath, blocking the door. I don't personally want an audience while I die," Ronnie told him.

Heath nodded. "Right," he said as he went to do it.

"You know I'm not leaving," Beth said as she fought the tears.

"Hey, I don't want any tears," Ronnie said. "I'm alright with this, it's just my time. I'll be with Ridge again, and I'll see my daughter, and your father and Bob and Tyreese, and my kids. You all have Denise, she'll do fine, she'll...step up," she said.

Noel brought her a pad and pen. "Is there anything else I can get for you?"

"No, thank you," Ronnie said as she tried to sit up.

Beth helped her and put pillows behind her. "Easy," she instructed.

"There isn't to much I can do to hurt myself at this point," Ronnie told her. She took a breath as she clicked the pen and started writing.

Dear Rick and Jewel,

I believe that each person you meet isn't by chance, but by destiny. Knowing you two have enhanced my life so much. I am proud to be part of this family. I know that both of you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, but do not be to hard on yourselves. You both are doing the best you can in a terrible position. We all owe our lives to you in one way or another. Do not let my death wear you down, but know that I survived longer than I would have if I had been alone at the time of Ridge's death. You both have generous hearts, and in this world, that is worth everything. Alexandria needs you. These people need you. I was on the outside at one time, as is the people here. I know you don't trust them, but they need you and I know that you have it in your heart to make them part of your family as you did with all of us. Rick, I have seen the best and the worst of you, and I know that the good guys always win. Tell everyone that I am taking them in my heart, that they all have a special place with me. Keep me alive in your hearts and thoughts. Give Hope and Judy kisses for me. With all my love, Ronnie."

Ronnie folded the letter and handed it to Beth as she laid down. "I...think it's almost time..." she said.

"I'll make sure that this gets to them,"Beth assured her as Ronnie closed her eyes. "Tell Ridge hello," she said as she touched Ronnie's forehead. "You'll be missed. If you see daddy, tell him that Maggie and I love him," she said as she squeezed Ronnie's hand.

Noel sat down beside them. "I can do it when it's time," he offered.

"No, thank you. I told her that I would do it, " Beth said. "She's family," she told him as Ronnie took her last breath. Beth took out her knife and put it behind the ear and quickly removing it. "We need to cover her body, until we can bury her."

Noel stood and went and got a a blanket to cover her and covered her without saying a word.

Author's Note:R.I.P. Doctor Veronica "Ronnie"Washburne. And yes I cried writing this. Please give some love to her death.