A/n.; I do apoogise for the last chapter I found a part in bracks I missed I will keep a closer eye on that in furture, and this chapter is very rough, and uneven but bare with me, It was hard to write, I had some trouble with it. I want to thank my beta for smoothing it over for me. Hopefully the next chapter will be better. :)

Trigger warnings; swearing. Mentions of abuse,

Your Love echoes

Chapter 4; hurt.

Beth came and stood on the porch with the rest of her family and watched as the man approached. Behind in the distance was two other figures struggling to catch up. Beth watched as her father went down the stairs and met with the man .

''Was he bit?" the man shook his head.

''Shot by your man," the man's attention still on her father.

"Otis?" Patricia gasped as she went down the stairs.

"He said to see a man named Hershel is that you?" Hershel nodded.

Beth watched as the man became a little more desperate, Beth's heart started to grow heavy for the man that was familiar; she just couldn't place him.

"Help me please …my boy ! ''

Beth's father suggested that Rick follow him into the house.

"Hurry!" Hershel guided the man to the spare bedroom on the first floor and they began to try and save the boy's life. Beth stood and watched , she could see and hear what was going on as her father gave instructions; Maggie and Patricia assisting him.

Beth wasn't all there; she was on edge from lack of sleep due to memories of Liam and his laughter echoing through her head. The man did seem familiar, she thought, he said his name was Rick or was she imagining it? Beth couldn't focus, everything was screaming in her head. He was familiar she just couldn't place him.

Deciding she was no help in her current state, Beth decided that leaving the room was the best option , she decided to lie down for a while. Beth prayed for a dreamless sleep not to see Liam when she closed her eyes. Surprisingly, it came.

When Beth woke ,her heart was heavy with the bad news, the boy- who name was Carl - was not doing well, He had internal bleeding and the bullet had shattered in pieces that had to be taken out in order for him to live. Where the pieces were, infection was setting in and Carl was going downhill fast. Her father didn't have the things he needed to help him perform the much needed surgery. Part of the procedure was to put the youth under but without the instruments came with risk of slipping away.

Beth couldn't even imagine what his parents were going through her heart broke for them. Beth knew Otis was blaming himself even if it was in accident. She knew he would take on himself to help so Beth wasn't surprised when Otis volunteered to help get the things they needed to help the boy. He left after packing the truck with the other man Shane, who came with Carl Otis felt it was the least he could do to get the boy well again.

Beth kept out of the way, having one of her down days didn't help at all, she felt hopeless but she needed to take care of herself before she could help anyone else.

Dinner that night was quiet hardly anyone one spoke given the circumstances Beth didn't really mind it was peaceful in a way. Beth knew her father wasn't keen on having strangers in the house but with the boy her father wouldn't kick them out either, well at least not yet.

Beth was on the porch later on in the evening, Maggie came out with tea.

"I thought you would come out here, I brought you tea it will help you sleep, another bad turn huh?" Beth smiled sadly at Maggie nodding.

Maggie kissed Beth on the forehead before handling her a cup and sitting next to Beth.

"Sorry for disappearing today, it's just … not a good day I guess. No sleeping with me on edge..."

Beth looked out, watching the sun set and feeling the gentle breeze around them, Beth closed her eyes. She felt her sister's eyes studying her but Beth kept her eyes closed thinking.

Should I tell Maggie about Liam? She thought to herself. Maggie has been so patient and she did help me with the sleeping pills, and not tell dad, maybe just tell her little things see how it goes.

A small smile came across Beth's lips, holding her cup in both hands she watched straight ahead, the sun covered by the mountains and the darkness started to creep on them . They will see the stars soon Beth loved the stars.

"Liam wasn't always like this, when I first met Liam he was handsome, charismatic, and had green eyes, sly smile. He was a little older then I was and he had every girl's attention. It was quiet ridiculous, being only 16 and in my sophomore in high school, didn't think he would take in interest in me..."

Beth laughed a little at the memory.

"He drew people in, you know, like they were naturally drawn to him . Liam was like gravity he was loved by everyone... he was artistic, great at sport... quite charming when he wanted to be... "

Beth suddenly felt pain and her heart was heavy again, had she said maybe a little too much? She trailed off turning her cup in her hand, she felt Maggie's eyes on her . She knew Maggie was listening, but Beth also found it easier then she thought to talk to Maggie, she was quiet again, the screen door opened and Hershel came out.

'' Maggie can you give me a hand?"

Maggie nodded and rose from her chair, she was surprised Beth opened up a little to her about Liam. It was more of how they met but it was a start and Maggie wasn't going to push Beth . She decided that to let Beth tell her the rest when she was ready and left her to her thoughts.

Shane returned alone later that night, saying Otis helped him escape but didn't make it . He was killed by walkers, but only Hershel heard, the others weren't told about Otis death until later . Hearing that Beth's father had saved Carl's life was satisfying news! Learning that Carl would recover brought a great relief to Beth in a way a kind of hope that miracles and good thing still happen . There was enough cruelty in this world and with another life being taken there was* great sadness in the family . When her father and Rick told Patricia , the poor woman had collapsed upon hearing the news and hearing Patricia's cries through the house, made Beth's heart break. Beth and Maggie hugged each other letting silent tears fall, Otis wasn't just a friend, he basically grew up on the farm, took care of it, he was family.

When her father told Beth and Maggie how Otis died, Beth didn't really believe it, it felt and sounded wrong, like it was a half –truth . One lie to cover a lie, sounds like bullshit, she knew it wasn't the entire truth, but Beth said nothing. It sounded a lot like something Liam used to do to cover up his lies she thought to herself . Beth didn't notice she was digging into her palms until she saw a bit of blood under her nails. Why couldn't that just be left alone? Everything reminded her of Liam today, and it still frustrated her when this stranger; this Rick was so familiar to her.

It was also the first night Beth woke up with her screaming echoing through the house.

A/N ; until next time, revews welcome. ox