We've bid our goodbyes to T-Dog, I hope he was given a better death for you guys knowing he not only saved Carol, but Angela as well. This would affect Angela greatly, not having witnessing a death of someone close since Dale on the farm. So, be prepared for a troubled Angela, with Carol going missing too, thinking she lost her an older sister. For now, this chapter will focus on Kaylee! Enjoy!
The walkers sounded as if they had passed by, but the alarms still blared out through the prison. It reached the boiler room where Maggie, Lori, Carl, and Kaylee hid out. Lori was currently gripping some chains that hung from a pipe, using it as leverage to lean on.
"What are those alarms?" She asked, feeling more pain flare through her as she tried to catch her breath from running earlier.
"Don't worry about it." Maggie told, leading Lori further into the room as Carl and Kay stared at the door a little longer in case a walker found them.
"What if it attracts them?" Carl asked, looking to them.
Kay gently pushed Carl's shoulder to follow the older two women. They rounded toward a desk, Lori leaning against it.
"Lori, let's lay you down." Maggie suggested.
"No- The baby's coming now." She groaned, hanging her head as her dark hair dangled over her face.
Carl started to panic at this, "We have to get back to our cell block and have Hershel help." he told.
Maggie shook her head, "We can't rick getting caught out there." she told him. "You're gonna need to give birth to this baby here."
Kaylee looked around, as if trying to find anything that they need that could help. "Without any hot water or towels?" She questioned.
"We got no choice." Maggie told her, rubbing Lori's back.
Lori started panting, almost like she was having trouble getting air into her lungs. Carl panicked at his mother's struggled. "What is she doing? Can't she breathe?"
"She's fine." Maggie assured, "Kaylee, come here." she called as the teen rushed over. "Let's get your pants off."
Maggie undid her belt as Kaylee helped her get down to the floor. She let her lean against her as Maggie tugged at the pant legs. Her eyes met the startled boy, who didn't know weather to stay to support his mom or go to the door to keep an ear out for walkers.
"You're gonna need to help deliver your brother or sister. You up for it?" She questioned him.
Carl was hesitant, looking down to his mom then to Maggie. "Yeah…" He told, earning a nod.
Kaylee looked up at as from the ground and patted his arm, he startled a bit looking down to her. She gave look that, one the helped him calm down. He noticed her hand shook on his arm, showing she was scared too.
"I'll do an exam." Maggie told, "Let me see if you're dilated." she informed.
"Okay." Lori sighed, leaning her hand back against Kaylee's lap.
"Do you know how?" Carl asked.
"Dad taught me, but trust me, it's my first time." Maggie told, as she spread Lori's legs. Lori managed to catch her breath a bit, closing her eyes as Maggie looked. "I can't tell."
"I gotta push." Lori sat back up, with Kaylee and Maggie's help. "I gotta push."
Carl paced around behind them, Maggie standing behind her as she checked her when Lori started pushing. Lori let out a cry making Maggie take her hand, Kaylee stepped to the side checking her.
"I'm okay, I'm okay." She panted, ready to push again.
"You're doing great, Lori. Just keep doing it." Maggie praised, keeping behind her for anything to start showing. "Your body knows what to do. Let it do all the work."
Lori pushed again, shorter as he let out painful yelps making her son step back. Kaylee approached him, keeping to his side as a support in case he grew too scared for the event. Maggie kept giving her encouragement as Lori pushed a third time.
"Lori, stop, don't push!" Maggie suddenly told. "Something wrong."
Lori let out a scream as Maggie checked her hand, finding blood covering her fingers. Carl and Kaylee's hearts dropped at the sight of it. The sudden silence came before them, the alarms now shut down with nothing but Lori's weak panting echoing out. Lori felt faint as she stumbled, Kaylee and Carl rushed over helping her lay down to the ground. Sweat was now covering her skin from the strain of pushing, which helped nothing at all.
"Mom?" Carl called, her eyes closed as she felt exhausted. He took her hand, "Mom, look at me, look at me. Keep your eyes open." he urged.
"We have to get you back to dad." Maggie determined, ready to carry her if need be.
Lori shook her head, opening her eyes. "I'm not gonna make it."
"Lori, with all this blood- I don't even think you're fully dilated yet." Maggie told, checking her once more as her hands were stained with blood. "No amount of pushing is gonna help."
"She can't have the baby until she is, so what do we do? Wait here until she is?" Kaylee asked, remembering what she was taught in sex ed back in school. Births can last up to hours or days!
"I know what it means, and I'm not losing my baby." Lori told weakly, but sternly to them. Carl and Kaylee looked one another, fearful of what she meant. "You gotta cut me open."
Kaylee gasped. "Lori, no."
Maggie shook her head, denying the idea. "No, I can't."
"You don't have a choice."
Carl jumped to his feet, "I'll go for help." he ran to the stairs.
"No!" Lori yelled, her son stopped looking back. She didn't want her son running out there with god knows how many walkers lurking through the Tombs.
Kaylee made a move to stand, "I'll go with him." she suggested.
"Neither of you are going out there." She told, giving Kay the same stare to her son.
"Carol's the one that practiced that, Angela knows more than I do." Maggie tried to reason, holding her hand. "Dad only taught me the steps, Lori. If I-"
"Please."
"I have no anesthetic, no equipment-"
"Carl has a knife." Lori told, Carl looked between them.
Maggie leaned back, sweat rolling down her face as her voice cracked. "You won't survive."
"My baby has to survive." She argued, looking to her. "Please, my baby- for all of us. Please, Maggie! Please!" Maggie sat there, shaking her head at Lori holding back tears. "Please."
Kaylee looked to Carl, too scared to move from his spot. Her hands shook, realizing this was real and was happening. Carl finally stepped down, and sat beside his mother, taking her hand in his. Lori lifted her shirt, a thin dark line of a scar was seen below her belly.
"See my old C-Section scar?"
"I can't." Maggie kept denying.
"You can. You have to. Carl-" She turned to her son, who looked down with glassy eyes. "Baby, I don't want you to be scared, okay? This is what I want. This is right."
Carl swallowed, listening intently to his mother. "Now you- You take care of your daddy for me, alright? And your little brother or sister, you take care-"
"You don't have to do this." Carl suddenly sobbed, Kaylee bit her lip as she watched.
"You're gonna be fine." She assured with a smile. "You are gonna beat this world. I know you will. You are smart, and you are strong, and you are so brave, and I love you."
Tears dropped down Carl's face, Kaylee moved to sit beside Carl, as she wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "I love you too." He cried, holding her hand as tightly as possible.
"You gotta do what's right, baby." She told him, trying to keep herself from crying as he own son shed tears for her. "You promise me, you'll always do what's right. It's so easy to do the wrong thing in this world. So don't-" She swallowed, taking a breath. "So if it feels wrong, don't do it, alright? If it feels easy, don't do it. Don't let the world spoil you."
Kaylee felt her tears shed down her cheeks, Lori looked up and smiled to her. "Kay, you be there for Carl." She nodded, her other hand reaching out and caressing her cheek. "Help him grow into a find young man for you." Kaylee choked out a sob, she nodded.
Lori turned back to her son, wiping the tears from his freckled cheeks. "You're so good." Carl smiled back for his mother, she let out a sob. "You're my sweet boy. You're the best thing I ever did. And I love you."
Carl hugged his mother as she wrapped her arms around him. He cried into her shoulder as she kept repeating her words into his ear. Maggie cried at the sight, seeing a boy have to say goodbye to his mother. Kaylee wiped her eyes, stepping back as she covered her face, thinking saying goodbye to a mother is harder than ever. She never had the chance to do so.
Carl sat up, Kaylee returning to his side as she took even breaths. She looked to Maggie, grunting at the pain that was coming back to her. "Maggie, when this is over, you're gonna have to-" Maggie shushed her, not able for her to finish the sentence. "You have to do it. It can't be Rick!"
Carl reach back, taking his knife out and handing it to Maggie. Kaylee kept Carl close as he held his mother's hand, more tears rolling down his cheeks. Kaylee sniffled, whispering comforting words to him as they prepared. Lori sighed, looking at the ceiling.
"Good night, sweet love."
Maggie swallowed, the knife pressed against her skin. "I'm sorry."
She brought it across, cutting Lori opened as she let out a blood curdling scream into the air. Carl screamed in horror, Kaylee held him as he fought in the sight of his mother in pain. "You're killing her!" He screamed at her, but Maggie continued.
Lori shuddered as her body went into shock, her head rolling to the side and her body shut down. Maggie dug her hands in carefully, focusing on getting to the womb. "Carl, give me your hands." Carl looked over, his jaw hanging as he just witnessed his mother die. "Carl, please."
Kaylee let him go to lean in to help. Kaylee stood and went around to Maggie's side, helping her the same way. "Keep the sight clean, okay?" She told the two, as their hands started to become covered in blood. "If I cut too deep, I'm gonna cut the baby."
Maggie dug throw, tossing the knife and trying to see the baby. "I see it, I see the ears." She informed, leaning in to dug and scoop her hand under its head. Carl sniffled, looking to his mother expecting her to scream or wake up any second.
"I'm gonna pull it out, keep it open." She told Kay who nodded, despite her hands shaking at the sight before her. She had seen birthing videos in school, but never thought in her life she's witness in a C-Section, resulting the death of the mothers.
"I can't tell if this is the arm or the leg." Maggie muttered, Kaylee leaned over pulling back more of Lori's flesh to help Maggie see. "Okay, I'm gonna pull the baby out."
"Okay…"
It was a slow steady movement, as Maggie pulled the blood covered baby out from Lori's womb. The cord attached to the placenta hung across to the baby's stomach, Maggie held the still stiff silent baby. Fear rolled through them, the baby wasn't breathing or moving, hadn't even let out a cry. Maggie patted the baby's foot, then the stomach to see no raising of the chest. She gently turned the baby over and patted the chest, earning a cry. Carl and Kaylee jolted, pleased to know it was alright. Carl quickly removed his jacket and bundled it up for Maggie to cover the baby, to which she noticed was a baby girl. Maggie used the knife to cut the cord, and quickly wrap the bundle up in the shirt.
Getting to her feet, Maggie held the crying baby close. "We have to go." She told the two. Kaylee stood, her legs felt asleep using the wall for support.
"We can't just leave her here." Carl said, getting to his feet. "She'll turn."
Kaylee looked down at Lori's body, then to Carl, walking up to him. "I'll do it." She hadn't killed anyone who wasn't a walker or living, the thought scared her. But, she believed Carl shouldn't have to do it.
Carl shook his head at her, "No," he told her.
He took his gun out, Maggie shook her head. "Carl, no."
"She's my mom." He told her, tears staining his freckled cheeks looking to her, then to Kaylee. "I can't make you do it, Kay. She's my mom." Carl bit his lip, sighing. "I can't let her be that, I can't."
Maggie didn't argue, as she was still shaken by what she had just done. Turning, she slowly walked up the steps, taking the baby from the room. Carl looked to Kay, who didn't budge.
"You can't do it alone." She told him, walking over to take his hand in hers.
Carl was going to argue, but tightened his hold, not wanting her to leave him. They turned to Lori, who looked to be at peaceful rest. Carl wasn't alone, he had her with him for this.
Outside, Angela was pacing like a cat in the cage, staring at the door to C block. The alarms have been silent for too long, and they were gone for too long. The others never emerged from the block, to which made Angela worry to hell.
"Hershel, they've been gone way too long." She told, rushing to the gate. "I gotta go check."
"Angela, wait-"
"Hershel!"
She stopped when Rick, Daryl, Glenn and the convicts came out of the door Angela saw Carol and T-Dog run to. She ran down the steps, looking around not seeing her sister with them.
"You didn't find them?" He asked, as Angela ran to Daryl.
"We thought maybe they came back out here." Glenn told.
Angela clenched her teeth when Hershel and Beth's head shakes told them no. Daryl put a hand on her shoulder, in a means to calm her down. "What about T? Carol?" She asked.
"They didn't make it." Daryl told.
Angela covered her mouth and stepped away. Carol, she hadn't made it? Two people, possibly more had been missing. "No, but Kaylee what if she- Oh God."
"That doesn't mean the others didn't." Rick told her, as she looked to him. "We're going back."
"I'm going with you." Angela told, her voice cracking.
Rick didn't deny this, the more help the better. "Daryl and Glenn, you come with-"
Suddenly, a baby crying broke through the air. Turning toward the C block, Maggie, Carl, and Kaylee were found, a bundle of a baby in Maggie's shaken arms. Their hands and arms were covered in blood, Kaylee stuck close to Carl's side, her eyes landing on the group across the way. Rick approached, the baby he knew was the one belonging to Lori, but, Lori wasn't with them. The axe fell from his hand as he watched the three come across the way. Maggie couldn't get her words out, scared of Rick's reaction to the truth of his wife. Her lips trembled, the baby mumbling in her chest as she held her close. Rick paced around, as if looking in a different angle or direction would make her appear.
"Where-Where is she? Where is she?"
Rick walked past her, as Kaylee and Maggie reached over to stop him. "No- Rick, no!" They didn't want him to see the horrors of down below.
Angela and the others watched, Rick dropped his gun and covered his eyes as the emotions hit him like a truck. She was gone, she was dead and wasn't coming back up to join them. Rick let out sobs, he looked to Carl, begging it not to be true. He kept crying into the sky, unable to accept this truth. He loved her, he loved her so much. Rick hadn't been able to tell how he always loved her, how much he cared and tried to fix it all for her.
Glenn approached Maggie, a hand on her cheek making sure she was okay. She cried at his touch, unable to undo what has been done. Angela and Daryl went to Kay, who clung to her sister, crying in her arms. Angela, who was a completely mess a moment ago, was now in silence comforting her sister. She looked to Daryl, who just put his hand on Kay's back to comfort her as well, she continued to let tears fall onto her sister's shirt. Rick fell to the ground, crying his heart out as everyone took in what had just happened.
"Kay, Kay, baby." Angela pulled her back, checking her over seeing the blood.
"What happened?" Daryl asked. Maggie was showing the baby to Glenn who herself was trying to calm down.
Kay swallowed as Angela wiped her face of tears, "Lori-Lori couldn't give birth. Sh-She wasn't dilated. We did a-a C-Section, we had to." She sniffled, letting out a few more sobs. Daryl looked over to Rick as he was sitting up, listening to her. "She wasn't going to make it, but she begged Maggie."
"Oh, ohh, Kay." She cooed, holding her sister closed and rocking her in a means to sooth her.
Glenn held Maggie close, careful of the baby in her arms. He kissed her forehead, now understanding why she was so silent. Angela looked over to Rick, seeing his red eyes dazed staring out at nothing. Daryl walked over, kneeling down down in front of the widowed father. The baby let out a cry startling Maggie and Glenn. Hershel made his way down the steps with Beth when the cry was heard.
"Rick?" Daryl called, waving his hand in his friend's face. "Rick, ya with me? Rick?"
Carl went over to Maggie, offering to take the baby from her. "Let me see the baby." Hershel said, Carl walking over to get a look over.
"If it's crying like that, it might be hungry." Angela told, holding her sister close to her side.
Daryl rushed back over, not getting a reaction out of Rick. "What are we gonna feed it?" Daryl asked. "We got anythin' a baby can eat."
Angela shook her head, watching Carl bring it to Hershel, as it grew calm in it's brother's arms. "A newborn has to have special formula, which we have none of."
Hershel looked her over, seeing moving Carl's jacket to get a good look. "The good news is she looks healthy."
"She?" Angela asked, to which Hershel nodded.
"She needs that formula, and soon or she won't survive." He told, looking to Daryl.
"Nope. No way." He told, slinging his crossbow over his shoulder. "Not her. We ain't losin' nobody else. I'm goin' for a run."
"I'll go." Maggie volunteered.
"I'll go, too." Glenn added.
"Okay, think where we're going. Beth." He waved her over to step aside for a moment. "Kid just lost his mom. His dad ain't doin' so hot."
Beth nodded, understanding what he was saying. "I'll look out for him."
Daryl pointed at the two convicts, "You two get the fence. Too many pile up, we got ourselves a problem. Glenn, Maggie, vamonos!"
Rick stood and marched over, picking up the axe surprising them. "Rick!" Maggie called.
"Rick, don't!" Kay called, as they all watched him jog up the steps and into the cell block, heading toward the Tombs.
"C'mon! We're gonna lose the light!" Daryl called, knowing there was no stopping Rick.
Maggie and Glenn jogged after him toward the vehicles as Axel and Oscar ran down to handle the walkers at the fence. The baby cried as Beth took her, they all heading toward the block to head back to the safety of the cells. Angela encouraged Kaylee to go, that she'd go in as she jogged toward the three at the car.
"Lori asked me to keep an eye out. I haven't had much luck." Maggie told, when discussing a location for baby supplies.
"Is there any place that hasn't been completely looted?" Daryl asked, taking his crossbow off his back.
Glenn turned back, "We saw signs for a shopping center just North of here." he glanced to Angela as she walked up to them.
"Yeah, but there's too much debris on the road." Maggie told, standing at the back of the Hyundai. "A car will never get through there."
Daryl through his vest on, looking between the two. "I can take one of ya."
"I'll go." Maggie told, Glenn walked over dismissing it.
Angela approached Daryl as he slipped his poncho on. "What's it usually in." He asked her, glancing up.
"Can, should be in cans." She reached over, fixing the poncho as he checked the barrel in his revolver. He placed it on the holster he had attached to the front of his bike.
Daryl could tell she was shook up, he tilted his head at her, tapping the bottom of her chin to look up at him. "We're gonna get her food, that baby's gonna be okay."
She swallowed thickly, reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck. "Please, be safe." Angela whispered, sighing into his shoulder. "I don't want to lose anyone else."
Daryl nodded, her voice cracking in his ear make him want to fix all this. "I will." putting his hands on her waist, moving to wrap around her. He hadn't ever hugged her before but she needed it.
She pulled back, pressing a hand to his check and letting him go. Daryl mounted the bike and started it as Maggie climbed behind him. The two rode off, Glenn and Angela watching in worry as they had a lot to recover from right now.
Angela looked to Glenn, "Is Carol really…?" she asked, but found her voice cracking unable to finish.
Glenn looked down, then to her, then he turned to go back not answering her question. She watched him, soon following as the sound of Daryl's bike faded in the distance. When she saw the door open, she watch Glenn walk out with two shovels, he held one out to her. Angela took it with no question, following him down the path to the yard.
Finding a far spot to be out of the way of where Rick wanted to have the garden, Glenn started digging. Angela then realized he was digging graves by out he was outlining the hole. She dug beside him, making enough space that the dirt wouldn't fall into the holes.
Three graves would be made. One for T-Dog, one for Lori, and one for Carol. Glenn dug harder and faster than Angela did. She was still exhausted from what had happened and no sleep from the last week.
"We found her headband." He told, finally answering her. She paused and looked to him as he kept digging. "T-Dog was eaten by the walkers there, we saw her headband covered in blood but no sign of her."
"The walkers got her?" She asked, leaning on the shovel in the ground.
Glenn paused and looked up to her, Angela crouched down and rubbing her aching eyes. T-Dog died from saving her, and she lost Carol who was a big sister to her. Lori was dead, and Kaylee had to witness that event with Carl and Maggie. Carl lost his mother and Rick lost his wife, all to save the baby. A risk only a mother would make. Today was starting out to be good too.
Glenn let her take her rest, adjusting to the news of Carol gone. She needed time to mourn, but he could tell she was holding back. He looked up, seeing Axel and Oscar approach them. They saw Angela crouching, as she just rubbed at her eyes taking even breaths.
"How's the perimeter look?" Glenn asked, climbing out of the hole.
"We got the walkers spread out." Axel told, pointing at the fence line. He looked down, seeing Angela struggle with making a grave unlike Glenn. "Need help?"
Glenn just gave them a look, turning back to finish digging the hole. Axel looked down to Angela, then to Glenn folding his arms. "Your friends, they- they were good folks."
Glenn looked to him, "They were family." he corrected him.
Axel nodded, "I think I had one friend like that my whole life." Oscar told them. "You got a whole group. Sorry you lost 'em" He told, looking at them with sincere sympathy.
Glenn looked at them, then spotted Hershel at the fence looking for them. He got back out, handing a shovel to Axel. "I need to two more." Glenn told, climbing the hill to talk to Hershel.
Angela stood, moving out of the way as she noticed Hershel as well. She put the shovel down, nodding to the men. "Uh, miss?"
She turned, seeing Axel was calling her. "Yeah?" she cleared her throat hearing it strain to respond.
"I wanted to apologize, about the comments Tomas made back then." He told, Angela reached up to feel for her scar in remembrance. "And about the family you lost."
Angela nodded, she sighed as she rubbed her forehead. "The name's Angela." She told, turning back to enter the cell block to await Daryl and Maggie's return.
Night had arrived, the baby cried non stop, begging for food. It was making everyone anxious that they'd arrive in time to feed her. Carl was holding her, she seemed calm in her arms but as time grew, so did her crying. Rick had been down in the Tombs, Glenn checked on him but almost got an axe to the head as a greeting. He decided to leave him be, he wasn't right and had to handle this alone.
Finally, the barred door opened, Maggie and Daryl rushed in. "Beth." Maggie called as she threw her bag onto the table ready to make the formula. Daryl came right over to Carl, tossing his crossbow and poncho off.
"Did you find some?" Kay asked, her answer was given when she saw Maggie unload the large cans onto the table.
"How she doin'?" he asked softly to Carl and Angela who switched holding her every hour.
Angela wasn't expecting to see Daryl make the move to take her from Carl. He tuck his arms under to pick the baby up, being slow and careful with her. He softly shushed the little baby he held her in his arms, Carl and Angela followed as the baby continued to cry for food. Glenn, Axel, and Oscar followed in, shutting the doors and locking them. Beth just finished the bottle and handed it to Daryl, he tipped it to her lips
"C'mon, c'mon." He soothed, and she started sucking on it instantly.
Angela sighed, smiling down at the little girl in Daryl's arms. No one had expected, of all people, for Daryl Dixon to be feeding a baby. He looked up, smiling at the others in a sheepish manner.
"Good job." She praised with a smile
He felt his cheeks warm at her smile, looking down to Carl. "She got a name yet?"
"Not yet." He told, giving a shrug. "But I was thinking maybe Sophia. Then there's Carol, too." No one stopped, as Carl named off the names of their female members who they lost. "And Andrea, Amy, Jacqui, Patricia." He tilted his head, kicking the floor. "Or, Lori. I don't know."
Carl seemed dejected the list of names, as no one said a word. People they lost, they didn't need that reminder. It was kind on Carl's part. Daryl and Angela shared a look, then back down to the baby.
"Yeah, ya like that?" He cooed to her, lifting her head to get a look as her eyes closed enjoying the meal. "Huh? Little Ass-kicker."
Angela giggled, everyone chuckled at the name he had just dubbed her. Daryl looked around, grinning to himself. "Right? That's a good name, right?"
"Why would I not expect that from you?" Angela asked, saddling to his side as he smirked at her.
"If she likes it." He tilted her back again, looking down at her in his arms. "Little Ass-kicker. Ya like that, huh? Ya like that, sweetheart?"
Angela's heart melted, she leaned her hand on his arm watching the baby enjoy her first meal. Angela reached over to gently rub her knuckle against her chubby cheek. Daryl looked down to Angela, feeling the warmth of her against him. He smiled down, not to the baby, but down to the woman.
"Where will she sleep?" Kay asked, to which Beth replied.
"She can take me and daddy's cell. He wants to keep an eye on her, make sure she's doing okay." She shrugged with a smile toward the baby. "I always like babies, so I'll take care of her."
Kay smiled, "I'll help too. I used to do babysitting jobs for my cousins." she told.
"I remember, the first time you changed a diaper." Angela recalled, grinning. "You called and asked how the powder goes on."
Everyone laughed as Kaylee blushed with embarrassment "To be fair, I didn't even know diapers give rashes, okay?"
Daryl took the bottle out from the baby to which Angela held her hands up, "I'll burp her." she offered. Daryl carefully laid her in her arms, as she took a cloth and tossed it over her shoulder and started patting her back.
"What about a bed?" Maggie asked.
"There's a mailing box." Oscar offered, "That should be small enough for her." he told.
Axel stood, jogging into the opened changed rooms, going through the left over garbage and brought it over. "That should do it, with a little padding."
A small burp echoed out , everyone chuckled at the little cute burp. Angela walked over and got some towels and blankets. Kaylee helped her pad it down as she laid the baby in there, looking up at her. Angela leaned down, planting a kiss down on her head seeing her eyes flutter close to sleep. Everyone looked down, Beth came over and gently picked it up with her in it to take to her cell.
Soon, everyone went into their cells to sleep for the night. Angela passed Lori and Carol's, pausing as she eyed up the now vacant cell. Daryl watched her from his perch, seeing her sigh and enter her cell with Kaylee waiting. That night, some slept feeling extremely exhausted, others struggled to find sleep as they were haunted by the events of the day. Kaylee didn't last long in the cell, she got up and left, as Angela watched her go to Carl's cell. Angela heard talking, a little bit of crying, then silence. Angela let her go, knowing with Rick still down in the Tombs, Carl needed someone in his lonely cell.
Early the next morning as the sun was rising, the graves had a visitor. Angela hadn't slept, maybe an hour or so, but she kept having nightmares of T-Dog and his death. She had another one where she saw Carol getting eaten alive which almost made her scream in her sleep. Angela snuck out when she saw the dark night sky fade away out the window. Daryl wasn't at the perch, she assumed he took watch or went to the Tombs to get Rick.
Walking through the tall grass, Angela walked over to the marked graves, the one in the far right being Carol's. She looked to Lori's then to T-Dog as she knelt before his.
"I wanted to say thank you, for saving my life." She told, rubbing at her nose feeling the chill of the early morning. "You didn't have to, risk your stupid ass for my own. But you did, I'm sorry."
Angela stood, sighing as she sat in front of Lori's grave. "I know I never said it, but you were like a mom Kay needed for a while. I'm glad Carl got to say goodbye, Kay too. We-We couldn't say our farewells to our parents. We found them as walkers and my brother took them out." Angela smiled, "Carl's being a good brother, thinking of names for your daughter."
Finally, she moved to Carol's gave, slowly sitting down in the grass. No words came to mind, the person she was distraught of the most was Carol, her sister. Someone had found her out in the grass, making his way over as she approached her. She wasn't crying, wasn't talking or anything. Angela sat there, not knowing what to do.
"Ya okay?" He asked softly, as he knelt down next to her. Angela shook her head, staring at the cross that stood there in the sun.
Daryl didn't know what to do, she wouldn't let herself cry or mourn for her. Daryl stood and walked toward the cross. He went into his vest pocket and took out a Cherokee Rose. he placed it down on her gave, making sure the grass and sticks were free off her gave. Angela looked up to him as he stood and stepped back beside her.
"It's like," She spoke, getting to her feet. "I want to cry, so God damn badly. I cried for Lori, for T-Dog. It feels like she wouldn't want me to."
Daryl looked down at her, seeing her rub her eyes. "She'd want ya to do what ya think is right." He told, she looked up at him. "That bullshit of not cryin' when someone dies. Even I did when my dad died."
"How?" She asked.
"Walkers got him, we were out huntin' with my uncle Jesse. First time I ever saw 'em, he was mauled apart, worse than a bear attack." He told, shaking his head at the memory. "I aimed my gun at him, doin' him a favor to take his sufferin' away. Just couldn't do it."
Angela felt closer to Daryl, learning this new thing about his past. "That must have been horrible, seeing your dad like that." She mumbled, looking down at the flower he put for her
It was, but Daryl now felt he shouldn't have shed tears for the bastard. Daryl looked down to Angela, seeing her tired green eyes locked to the grave. Over the past few days, he found himself grow closer to her. Carol always made jokes about the two, he denied it and felt guilt for denying the truth to her. Now she was gone, he wished he hadn't.
Daryl snaked his arm up and around her shoulders, pulling her to him. She accepted this, resting her head against him as she sighed. "She was my second sister." She muttered, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"I know." he told, rubbing her arm as if to encourage her to let her emotions out.
Tears hit his vest, trailing down as they fell from her eyes. Her shoulder shook against him, finally letting out sobs as she leaned heavily against him. Daryl tightened his hold on her, letting her cry into his vest as they stood there accepting what had happened to their friends, comrades, and friends. Daryl was sad himself, but he handled his emotions differently than others. He was angry; angry nothing could've been done to prevent this. All because of that bastard Andrew who sabotaged it all in attempt to gain the prison back.
Angela managed to compose herself after a few minutes, feeling the heat of the rising sun on her back. "Daryl?"
He grunted as a response, looking down to her.
"I'd be lost without you by my side." She told, rubbing and wiping her eyes and face clean of tears.
Daryl shook his head, "Ya got Kaylee. Ya'd be fine without my ass." he told.
She looked up at him. "You're my rock." Angela reached up, pecking his cheek as he looked down to her in surprise. "Thank you."
Angela moved from his arms and turned to head back inside feeling a bit better with all those emotions released. Though, she was still sad, she couldn't let it hold her down. Angela had a group to keep strong for with Rick gone. Daryl watching her, reaching up to touch his cheek, same spot she kissed that one time on the farm. His body felt calm with her around, wanting to reach for her touch, but resisted out of fear of rejection or just instinct. His stomach did flips at the thoughts of his feelings for her being true as well. Over time, Daryl had grown close to her, and felt it was growing more as days passed by. He just had no idea if she felt the same or these were just kind gestures like Carol's were.
The two walked back to the prison, everyone waking up as they found Axel at the stove. They decided not to question it, also spotting Beth making formula for the baby. She turned, her eyes falling to Angela.
"Hey, Kaylee's awake." She told, Angela and Daryl walked down the steps. "I think she needs to talk to someone."
"She alright?" Angela asked, looking at her in concern.
Beth shrugged, "Heard her crying, I think she had a nightmare." she guessed.
Angela sighed, looking to Daryl. "Get some breakfast, I'll go check on her."
He nodded, approaching Axel to question what he was cooking. Angela entered the cell block and up the stairs to her and Kay's cell. She found her sister leaning against the bed frame, getting her boots on. She saw Angela and smiled, but Angela saw her red puffy eyes. So, Kay had been crying, Angela didn't blame her but didn't want her to feel alone about this.
"Morning, snuck off with Daryl?" She joked, clearly not wanting any attention on her.
"We went to visit their graves." Angela told, shoving her hands into her pockets and leaning against the doorway. "Said goodbye to them, didn't get the chance to before." She shrugged.
"Oh." Kaylee nodded, looking down to focus lacing her boots.
"Want to visit them later?" She offered, Kay shook her head. "How about helping me do some gardening today, get down and dirty with nature?" Kay shook her head once again.
Angela sighed, knowing her sister was trying not to let yesterday effect her. But, it was clearly haunting her. "Rick isn't mad, if that's what your thinking." She told, wondering if she maybe felt guilty or scared of the people's reactions to yesterday.
"I wasn't." She dismissed.
"Carl's not mad either. No one's mad at you, Kay." She urged.
"I know that." She responded, her tone growing tense.
"Then, how about-"
Kay glared up at Angela, stomping her now tied shoe down on the floor. "How about you stop asking me questions and leave me alone? I'm fine!"
Angela backed up, she hadn't snapped at her in a long time. Kay sighed, she sat down on her sister's bunk and bent down to tie the other boot. "Sorry."
"No, I'm sorry." Angela told, shaking her head. "I shouldn't have pushed your buttons like that. I just, wanted to make sure you were okay."
Kay finished her second boot and stood to put her belt through the loops of her pants and attach her knife to her hip. "I wish I got to say goodbye."
"To Lori?" She asked.
Kay shook her head, "To mom." she answered.
Oh, now she understood. Angela didn't blame her for thinking that, they had found their parents bit and turned. Nolan killed them to save Angela and Kay, then ran out without even saying a word. Angela kept forgetting how Kay wasn't an adult, she was by age now of eighteen, but still a young teen. She couldn't imagine what her, Maggie, and Carl went through emotionally and mentally. What they were dealing with right now, actually.
"It doesn't make you selfish that you wished you had like Carl had. If anything, I wish we didn't have to say goodbye to anyone. We didn't get to with T-Dog and Carol." Angela swallowed, looking to the ground.
Kay watched her sister, growing concerned of her. "Are you doing okay?"
Angela glanced up, shrugging. "It's weird."
"Weird?"
"No one as died saving me since Nolan. We were on our own until almost half a year ago when we met Rick's group." Angela explained.
"They saved and protected us many times, and we did the same for them." Kay told, trying to understand what her sister meant.
"No one died in the process though. So used to expecting everyone to turn out alright, but..."
Chewing her lip, Angela tapped the tip of her boot against the cement floor. "How about you go on that run Maggie and Glenn mentioned last night?" She offered, wanting the subject to change. "I'm not pushing you, just in case you wanted some fresh air and space from here."
Kay stood, adjusting her belt. "I'm sure they'd want alone time."
Angela scoffed, "Since when don't they get alone time?" she joked.
"True." She nodded. Kay walked up to her sister, giving her a warm hug. "Thanks, sis. I'm lucky to still have you."
Angela returned the hug, rubbing her back. "Ditto." Kay pulled back, Angela nodded toward the stairs. "Breakfast is being made, I'll let Glenn and Maggie know about you joining them."
"Who's making breakfast?" Kay asked, walking with her to the stairs.
"Axel."
Oatmeal was made that morning, everyone sat together eating the stuff from their bowls. Sitting around the table, with Beth tending to the baby as she ate, taking turns with Kaylee. Daryl sat on the stairs with Angela as Oscar stood by the railing.. Shockingly, it was Axel who had made the meal, and it was fairly good. Carol was their usual cook and Kay didn't do well cooking last nights dinner.
"He was fine when I saw him." Glenn told, referring to Rick yesterday.
"Fine?" Maggie asked, knowing that was not the right word to use.
"He wasn't hurt or anything." He rephrased.
Maggie sighed, "We need to get him out of there." she told them.
"My dad will be back." Carl muttered, barely touching his food as his words held no strength.
"He's been in there through the night." Hershel told him, taking a spoonful of his meal. "We just want to make sure everything is alright."
"Yeah, ain't nothin' right." Daryl told, getting eyes turned to him. "Rick though, he'll come through." He assured, stirring his meal around as Angela looked down at him, sitting on the step above him.
"We can help him do that." Said Hershel.
"Huh? Ya think so?" He asked.
"Well, maybe not us." Looking down to the baby girl in his youngest daughter's arms. "But she can."
Carl didn't respond, Daryl watched the boy as everyone but him ate. He needed his dad, his mother just died and he needed his father now more than ever. Daryl understood what he was feeling.
"Everybody okay?" Everyone turned to find Rick, clean and in new clothing, walk in.
"Yeah, we are." Maggie told as he approached the table.
"What about you?" Hershel asked him.
He ignored his questioned, turning to his son. "I cleared out the boiler block."
"How many were there?" Daryl asked.
"I don't know. A dozen, two dozen." He noticed everyone was almost done their meals, but Carl's bowl was untouched.
"Hey," He knelt down to his son, a hand on his back. "You gotta eat, Carl." His son didn't reply. "I didn't mean to scare you."
Carl shook his head at his father. "I wasn't afraid. I just wanted to help."
Rick nodded at his son, ducking is head as if ashamed. Beth noticed the struggle between the two, deciding to try and help. "She's beautiful." She told, seeing Rick wasn't reacting. "She smiles when she sleeps."
"Best thing I've seen in a long, long time." Hershel added, helping his daughter.
Rick rubbed his forehead, as if trying to think of something to say. Hershel and Beth looked to each other, he nodded at her encouragingly.
"Do you wanna hold her?" Beth offered.
"I have to get back." Rick quickly excused, turning to stand. "Just wanted to check on Carl- Everyone." He said, patting his son's shoulder.
"Wait, Rick." Glenn stood as he made his way back toward the Tombs. He turned to the Korean. "We can handle taking out the bodies, you don't have to do anything."
"No, I do." He retorted.
"We thought about having something, a memorial." Hershel offered.
Rick spun around at him, "No." he denied.
They were surprised by that, "No?" Hershel questioned. Angela frowned in worry, Rick was doing what she had done earlier over Carol. He needed to talk about it or something.
"Hershel, there's nothing left." He walked across the room toward Daryl and Angela. "Everyone got a gun and a knife?"
"Yeah." Daryl answered as Angela nodded. "We're runnin' low an ammo, though."
"Maggie, Kaylee, and me were planning on making a run this afternoon." Glenn told. "Found a phone book with some places we can hit, look for bullets and formula."
"We cleared out the generator room." Daryl told. "Axel's there tryin' to fix it. In case of emergency. We're gonna sweep the lower levels as well."
"I was thinking of going out in the field and get the yard ready for a garden." Angela purposed, nodding to Glenn. "In case they find any seeds, it's good to start now while the weather is nice."
Rick nodded at the updates he was given. "Good. Good." He turned and marched back to the Tombs. Hershel called for him, but only to get a slam of the door and he disappeared.
"He didn't even look at her." Kaylee muttered, looking down at the baby in Beth's arms.
Daryl looked to Angela, "Ever seen this before?" he asked, referring to how Rick was behaving.
"He knows Lori chose the baby's life over her own." She tried to explain, tapping the plastic spoon against her bowl. "He refuses to accept it, it's nothing against her, herself." Angela told, nodding to the baby. "Give him time, but keep him away from her until we know it's okay."
Beth frowned at that. "Okay? For what?"
Angela stood, walking across the room to put the bowl by the stove. She looked back at them, "He doesn't try to hurt her." she told.
Everyone looked to one another, Angela shook her head hoping that wouldn't happen. "Dad won't do that." Carl told, giving Angela a hard look.
Angela walked over to Carl, giving a smile and patting his back. "You're right, sorry. But, he'll come back around." Carl nodded at her, she stood and flicked his hat in a teasing manner. "I'll be out in the fields, you guys be careful on your run."
They nodded as she moved past Daryl up the stairs and walked out of the cell block. The sun beat on her skin, she sighed and stretched her arms out. "Time to get my hands dirty." She declared.
Thank you RedVelvetPanPan, IceFire 27, or the follows and favorites!
In honor of our end of season 8 of the Walking Dead, I wanted you guys to look forward to the day! So, I now will post a chapter every Sunday ranging between morning to afternoon. Only time I might post late at night is if I struggled writing the chapter or had other things to do. I will say I am four chapters ahead for finals. I don't have tests, but damn I got loads of projects and reports being a film/art student. My last class is May 9th so I am on Summer break after that. But, as a reminder, from May 13th to the end of the month no updates will be made as I am traveling to Missouri to help my friends move up to New Jersey. Thanks for reading and understanding!
Bruna Pereira- I felt the same way with how many they lost at the Prison fall and Negan's arrival. I was honestly glad Andrea was gone, the fact she kept shacking up with every villain. She was getting on my nerves about how she's so good at everything when she's not. But, that's just me, i hate people like that in general. I know to stick with Daryl, cause they know if they kill him off they'll lost their ratings within seconds! With the season finale around the corner, and Red-Eyed Rick, either someone important to him dies or he does. He's got a wound on his side, and the whole tree with stained glass- I'm so SCARED! Also, I pray we don't lose Maggie, only one left from season 2! I heard it's rumored she's signing contracts with another tv show, a comedy! They need to pay her the amount she deserves so we don't lose her! Probably another reason they're getting a new show runner. In the comics, Negan gets his neck slit by Rick, but he saves his life and spares him. People question if this will happen in honor of Carl's wish. My dad and I want him to be good, like how Merle turned to the good side and made a large sacrifice. I still miss him. Thanks so much, typing this with half a hand (got my hand in a brace right now and typing with only 6 fingers) is a bitch. Glad you're enjoying it!
RedVelvetPanPan- No, no you're fine! I notice the site has been glitching a bit with this story. If it happens again I'll try to contact them and ask. Even though I know it would be fruitless. Baby, no! Get that sleep, it'll be waiting for you! Yeah, season three and four are my favorite too! I heard for season nine they'll try to work back to the season 3-5 styles, maybe be back on the road. Excited to see Angela Kang the new show runner take it.
Gryffindor Rat- Oh you're fine, babe! Thanks so much! I wanted to give T-Dog a sacrifice than just him not watching his back. Angela will handle this very not only with Carol's supposed death, but also T-Dog's sacrifice for her. She never had anyone other than Nolan die for her, so she doesn't know how to feel about it. Thanks, she wouldn't be one cowering she'd be the type to kill as much as possible if given the chance to protect her group. Yes, Carol's a big sister to her so it's going to upset her, as Daryl tries to comfort her while hiding his pain as well. Thank so much!
Bonitalito- No, sorry for that! I felt T-Dog was losing his spot of the show and he wasn't really unique to me, I personally like Tyreese or Gabriel more than T-Dog. He was a good guy and all, but his character had no change or build up. And I chose her not to go with Carol cause MANY other writers chose that option or make it their OC missing. It's not very original or work for me personally, so I decided to have her stay back and let this focus more on Kaylee with Lori on the birth. You're welcome, thank you for reading!