Chapter Fifteen

Daryl POV

He lay her on the table gently, Hershel following on his crutches behind, Maggie carrying his medic bag. Roxie came in and shooed the others away but asked Rick, Carl and Daniel to stay, Daryl didn't move but then Roxie hadn't asked him too.

"Why do we need to stay?" Carl asked.

"Because you three all share the same blood type, A positive I believe," taking the empty blood bags that they had found in the infirmary when the prison was first cleared. Quickly she began the process of taking blood. After one bag from Rick she sent him away stating he needed his strength.

As soon as the bag was done she gave it to Hershel who quickly hooked it up to Joelle. As soon as the blood had been hooked up Roxie went to get more from the boys leaving Hershel to dig into Jo's shoulder to pull out the bullet. She flinched slightly once before becoming still yet again. He wiped her wound with antiseptics before binding her shoulder tightly.

Daryl just stood there leaning against the doorway watching. She was deathly pale form blood loss and he couldn't help but think it was his fault. He could hear the others moving around, packing up all the supplies and loading them into the cars. He heard someone behind him but didn't turn.

"She'll pull through little brother, little firecracker's strong an' she has something to come back to," Merle placed his hand on Daryl's shoulder before leaving to help the others. Roxie returned with two more blood bags and these were hooked up to her with the same swiftness as the first.

When it was time to move out Rick, Lucas and Daryl went to lift Joelle into the bed of the truck that had brought her back to the prison. They put a number of blankets around her too keep her warm and too stop her from moving too much. Merle came out of the prison holding a thick grey tarp which he then proceeded to tie over the truck bed, giving her enough air while leaving Joelle hidden from both people and walkers.

Hershel and Roxie (who had been a midwife before the world went to shit) both had the most medical knowledge, therefore were staying outside the prison with the children and Joelle.

When Carl was told he was staying out of the fight, he got angry and started kicking up a fuss, nothing Rick or anyone else would say would calm him down. It was in Lucas' opinion fucking childish and he was glad Rick had told him to stay behind. Merle, who'd had enough of the kids shit; stormed up to him drawing everyone's attention.

"Don't ya get it kid? You have the most important job, you gotta protect little firecracker, your aunt," this got Carl attention, "Without you there who else can protect her? Hershel and sugartits over there need to keep her alive, but you, you gotta keep her safe."

At Merles reasoning Carl nodded and determination filled his young gaze. The others were shocked at Merles ability to stop the kid from whining and most of the others shot him a grateful glance. They began to move out and Daryl wanted more than anything to stay with Elle but he knew he had to defend the prison, for her.

Daryl silently said a goodbye to her before following Rick and the others deep into the maze like tombs.

Roxanne POV

She drove the truck with Joelle slowly into the cover of the trees, Hershel following; Daniel was driving as Hershel was obviously unable. Once under the safety of the looming trees they got out and started to camouflage the cars so that no one would notice how close they really were.

It didn't take long before they heard the sounds of numerous cars driving towards the prison. They held their breath, seconds later blasts of gunshots and explosions were heard throughout the forest and though Roxie trusted Lucas she couldn't help but worry for her husband.

A muffled moan draws her attention from the fighting to the back of the truck, pulling up the trap she sees Joelle who's face is still incredibly pale despite the blood transfusions. There was an expression of pain etched into her face, Roxie quickly went to the medical supplies and saw that they had four syringes worth of morphine; hastily taking the right amount into the needle she places it into the vein near Joelle's elbow and pushed the plunger down. Almost immediately Joelle's body relaxed, Roxie calms down a little at the sight, hoping that her sister in law would wake up soon. She pulled the tarp back down and walked to where Hershel, Beth, Daniel, Sophia and Carl are watching the attack.

After a while shots are sounded once again as well as the prison alarm going off, more shots are fired, it doesn't take long before the sound of cars driving away is heard. The hidden group let out a sigh of relief, Roxie smiles broadly before giving all the children a quick hug.

The peace is ruined as the sound of running footsteps is heard, a boy of about seventeen runs into their clearing. Hershel, Daniel and Carl quickly hold up their guns, "Whoa whoa whoa, don't shoot," his voice is panicked as he holds his hands up in surrender.

"Drop the weapon son," Hershel speaks quietly but firmly.

"Sure," the boy readily agrees, "here take it," the gun begins to make its decent towards the ground but before it gets there, Carl takes the shot, his aim perfect.

As soon as they can Hershel and Roxie take the others back, knowing they needed to get Joelle out of the open and into a bed where they could keep a better eye on her.

Lucas, Rick and Roxie carry her hurriedly into the makeshift infirmary, Rick looks at his brother and Roxie before cuffing Joelle's hand to the metal bedframe, "we're going after the Governor; me, Merle, Daryl and Michonne. I need you to take care of the group until we get back." They both nod at his words, Rick kissing Jo's forehead softly before leaving the cell.

Lucas POV

Lucas moved towards the infirmary waving to the people of Woodbury who greeted him. When Rick and the others had returned the bus in tow, he hadn't known what to think. Seeing how much easier things were now though, with more people he didn't mind so much.

Joelle lay on the prison bunk, her breathing raspy and strained. Daryl hadn't moved from her side since Hershel had fixed her up two days ago. Her hand was cuffed to the bedpost just in case she didn't wake up. Alive. Lucas walked in and placed his hand on Daryl shoulder, "Go get some rest I'll send for you if anything changes."

Lucas sat there watching her for a time, "please wake up Elle we need you, Daryl needs you," but instead of doing as he asked she acted as if she suddenly felt Daryl's disappearance; she stopped breathing. He stood up quickly screaming for Hershel before starting CPR. One two three breath, one two three breath it was the only thing going through his mind as the others came running.

Hershel, Rick, Roxie, Merle and Daryl all watched him as he tried to save his sisters life, he forces the air into her lungs again, and he kept going not really knowing for how long, he kept switching with Roxie to have a break.

"Stop," Ricks voice is soft and broken, "she's gone let us not deny her that peace any longer."

Roxie pulls away and sits back, tears fill everyone's eyes as they realise what has just happened. Time stood still as everyone silently grieves. Joelle's chest lifts slightly a raspy breath hissing through her teeth. Her head rolls to the side as she lets out a groan. Her arm tugs at the restraint on her wrist and she hisses again. Everyone takes a step back silently, unwilling to harm the walker that was once family.

"Oh my god," Roxie whispers, she turns into Lucas hands clutching his shirt as she begins to sob. Joelle's head turns towards the sound, thankfully her face is covered with her matted chestnut hair another groan leaves her dry lips. There's movement to his left and Lucas turns to see a very pale Daryl moving forward his handgun at the ready. No one moves to stop him knowing it needs to be done.

He strokes her cheek lovingly, his whisper almost silent, "love you Angel," before aiming his gun at her temple.

Thanks for reading everyone. Big thank you to those who followed and favorited. Love Sallie and Aidan for being my Beta's. R&R XX