Anna's eyes darted frantically all over Hershel's body. Fear was starting to take over her mind, her body and she had to force herself to remain focused on Hershel. Her eyes were brimmed with tears threatening to fall down her cheeks. Anna was trying with everything she had within herself not to lose her train of concentration and not to get too emotional about losing someone else from her family. Her hands were shaking with fear. Anna couldn't go through that sort of pain again. She wouldn't be able to survive that sort of heartache again. Not even Daryl could piece the broken pieces back together. Her heart was beating hard against her chest. There was a nauseous feeling building up in her stomach, the bubbles bounced around threatening to surface, like chaotic butterflies fluttering about. It felt as if she was going to throw up at any second. Anna was holding the wound tight with her hands. The blood was seeping through her fingers, the smell of copper filling up her nose. Rick had now turned, putting himself between Anna and Hershel, protecting them from the prisoners. Keeping his eye on them and ready to pounce if they tried to do anything.
Daryl walked up to them, his cross bow raised and his stance held hard. He was ready to kill if he needed to protect his family. His eyes flickered down to bloodied up Hershel, then back up to the men and all his attention on them "Who the hell are you?" he demanded.
"Who the hell are you!" Tomas replied, glaring at everyone.
"Come on out of there, slow and steady" Daryl told them.
The Hispanic man, Tomas, came out first and he instantly gave Anna the creeps. He smirked at her and winking creepily. The guy was looking at her like she was a fresh piece of meat he wanted to eat. Anna hadn't felt those sort instincts in a long time but they reminded her of her ex fiancé and the horror that he brought her. But Anna was a different person now and like hell she was going to let anyone have that hold over her again "Not going to happen" Anna muttered.
"What happened to him?" Tomas asked, taking a step forward and pointed down to Hershel.
Daryl squinted his eyes, glaring the man down through the sight of his cross bow "That is none of your concern! So take a step away and back the hell off!"
The other four prisoners came out, slowly. Tomas took out his gun, pointing it around at the group, like a maniac. He was a fool who had no idea with whom he was dealing.
Daryl aimed his cross bow, cocking his head to sit his eye over the sight. "Hey, hey, hey now", urging the men to back away and taking a tighter hold on his bow "No one needs to get hurt here".
Maggie was back down on the ground with towels, handing them to Anna. Rick put his hands over Anna's hands. His hands so large, engulfing her little ones in his. Ones so small, had so much power not just from healing because having her hands in his, he felt like everything was going to be alright, somehow. Anna nodded, quickly taking the blood soaked rags away and putting the new towel on the wound, holding them tightly onto Hershel. She saw the panic in Maggies face "Your dad needs you to be strong right now, not just for him but also for yourself and Beth. I know this is hard but you can do this, okay. Your dad is one of the toughest men I have ever known in my life. The same type as father and brother. I will do whatever I can to make sure he pulls through this; you have my word".
Anna just made one of the biggest mistakes a surgeon could make to a patient's loved one or family member. She just made a promise to someone whose loved one was dying and that promise could be broken. But she had to pull on that sense of faith that she had within her being, her soul. Anna had to bring Hershel out of this alive. She had no other choice.
Poor T Dog was still holding the door back and he was struggling to keep the doors closed. His eyes filled with fear as the walkers were banging against the door, trying to claw their way through to get to them.
"Do you have any medical supplies around here?" Glenn asked, pushing his way past them and into the cafeteria.
"Woah, where do you think you are going?" the taller big African American man asked, looking into the cafeteria.
"Who the hell are you people?" Tomas asked.
"Sure don't look like no rescue team" Axel pointed out.
Rick helped lift Hershel's back "If a search team is what you are looking for, don't!" he roared, terror filling him.
Anna was finding it hard to stabilize Hershel without her bag with all of her medical equipment. Hershel was losing blood fast and if they didn't hurry, he was going to die "Rick! He is bleeding out fast. I don't know how much more I can stabilize him. We need to get him back so I can stop this bleeding!" Anna instructed Rick, her voice wavering with fear "We need to get him back now and quick or we will lose him to blood loss and the trauma, not the walker bite he just got".
Glenn came back from the kitchen of the cafeteria with a portable kitchen bench on wheels. They wobbled along, screeching as they were dragged across the cement floor. A small amount of relief filled Anna amongst the panic that was going around and she felt herself able to take a breath. She even saw a light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel. They would be able get Hershel out quicker and in a more stable way without hurting him. Anna kept her hands on Hershel's wound, holding it tight as Glenn and Maggie helped lift Hershel up onto the bench. Her knee bent at an odd angle, pain shot through her whole leg. Her face screwed up in agony and she hissed in pain. Daryl looked at her pointedly, glaring at her. She quickly shook her head, implying now wasn't the time to worry about her pain. Her hair stuck to her face because of the sweat on her skin. T Dog unlocked the door, killing a prison riot walker with a crow bar through the chin.
"We need to go now!" Anna yelled at every one, letting her surgeon instincts take over and take control "We can deal with the ass holes later".
They wheeled him out, Anna looking back "Daryl! Come on, we need to get out of here! Don't worry about those douchebags. We are going to lose Hershel if we don't hurry up and move our asses to get back!"
Daryl turned, his eyes not leaving the prisoners and keeping his cross bow sighted on their hearts for a lethal shot if they tried anything. His whole was body rigid, ready to attack if these bad people tried anything. He retreated backwards through the door and followed the others out.
Only Rick and Daryl had their torches on as they ran through the halls. They didn't want to attract the walking dead or the living. Anna eyes were finding it hard to adjust to the dark and she stumbled over a limb of a walker, Daryl quickly picked her up. Anna was trying not to let the fear take over her. It was a different kind of trauma at the hospital when it was complete strangers she worked on to save. But it was a whole other story with someone she loved dearly, someone whose part of her family. Someone she couldn't bear to lose. It was all on her now, Hershel's life was in her hands and she was the one that was going to save him. The responsibility of everyone depending on her to get Hershel through this alive was weighing down hard on her shoulders. The corridors were eerie, dark and the dust could be seen floating about in the light shining for the torches. It made her skin feel itchy.
Rick looked back, seeing the shadows of the prisoners following behind them "Go, go, go" he whispered, urging them on down the corridor with his hands "They are following after us!" he whispers, looking over his shoulder "We need to hurry!"
They rounded a corner, meeting two more walkers and were easily taken down by Daryl with a bolt to the head and a knife in the other.
There was the light from their cell block ahead, Anna tried to mentally thank her blessings as she looked down to Hershel but it was hard. Daryl was first through the open cell block, staying by the door as everyone ran through. Anna looked up at him, fear in her eyes and glistening with tears that threatened to fall. Anna was trying to keep her brave face on but it was teetering on the edge and threatening to fall at any moment now. Daryl knew all of her faces, the masks she put on and knowing full well what face was underneath. She could put one on that everyone else would see. But Daryl knew all too well so he put on one for her. He nodded at her, urging her to go on "You have got this! Go on now, save the day" he told her.
"You had better be careful in here" she replied, looking over her shoulder "You hear me!"
Daryl saw the look in her face and he raised his eyebrows. As hard as it was, he had to keep his eyes stern and he urged her with a quick nod of his head. Anna nodded back with a weary, anxious smile as she rounded around the corner of the corridor and into their cell block. Daryl had to let her do her thing.
There was a reason why Anna was put on the earth and she was here to save lives of all those around her. God knows she had saved his by just being his friend and companion. Something he had never even had before the world ended. There was one thing for sure on his mind, Daryl never wanted to lose it and he would do anything to protect it.
"Open up! It's Hershel!" Rick yelled, scared out of his mind "Carl! Quick, open the door! We need to move fast".
Carl ran to their cell block door and he had Samson by his side. The dog could sense something was wrong. Carl took the keys out of his pocket, unlocking it fast and holding open the door to clear the way for them all to come through.
Tom was right behind Carl, his eyes widened at the sight of why Hershel was all bloodied up "Jesus Christ" he whispered, wiping his hand through his short hair "What the hell happened in there?"
Samson was bobbing his head up and down, knowing what was happening was very bad and stuck by Tom's side to stay out of the way.
Carol gasped, her hands to her face "Oh my god! What happened in there?"
Poor Beth began to cry, scared. Lori took her in her arms "He is going to be alright".
They rushed in and going to the closest cell that was near them. Lori looked a little panicked, wide eyed as everyone was and looking at Anna and Rick.
"He was bit and we need to get him on the bed" Anna told Rick and Tom.
There was a ringing sound in Anna's ears, she tried to shake it off but everything began to go into slow motion all around her. The voices around her became muffled, as if she was under water and drowning. She looked down to Hershel, but it wasn't him anymore. It was Dale like how he was at the farm, stomach open and gasping for breath, reaching out for her "No, no, no" she whispered as all of the memories and the emotions were flooding back into her mind. Anna looked down at her blood soaked hands and back to Dale/Hershel.
Anna was too late and she couldn't save Dale in the end. She couldn't go through all of that pain again. She couldn't let anyone else down.
"Oh my god! Daddy!"
Anna looked up, seeing Beth crying in Lori's arms and so full of grief. She looked at the bed and it wasn't Dale on the bed anymore. It was Hershel. She took a quick, deep breath to calm herself. She came to her senses and Anna limped, getting down onto her knee. She ignored the pain that was pulsating in her knee to her hip and put all of her attention onto Hershel's leg.
"Can you stabilize him?" Rick asked, leaning down onto his knees. Those blue eyes of his pleading at her for the answer he wanted to hear to make it all better again. She always made a way to make it all better.
Anna looked at Rick, seeing the worn down look in his eye from all of the world weighing down on his shoulders. The man looked like he was only just able to hold it together. Once again looking to her for the help he needed when he didn't know what to do or how to fix something. Anna always came up with the answers when Rick, himself couldn't.
"I don't know how I am going to do it. But I am going to do everything in my power so that I can to make this right and get Hershel out of this alive" and she pressed harder on his stump.
The blood was seeping heavily through the make shift bandage and through her fingers. The blood glistened on her hands from the overhead light. "Carl, Tom. I need you both to run as fast as you can to mine and Daryl's cell. There, underneath the bottom bunk bed I need you to get my two medical bags. One has all of my bandages and gauzes, the other one has the antibiotics, needles, IVs and the medication to save him".
Tom nodded "You got it, Anna. Come on, Carl. Let's help this little person save the day" Together they quickly ran to her cell.
Beth was crying, scared "Is he going to die? Can you save him Anna?" she sobbed, tears running fast down to her face. Holding her arms around her body tight, trying to keep herself together.
Lori squeezed Beth gently in her arms, comforting her "He is going to be okay. If anyone can save him, it is going to be Anna. I heard she is the best surgeon in the state of Georgia even before the way the world is now. Your dad couldn't be in any better hands than Anna's to save his life".
The blood was still seeping through onto Anna's hands. There was blood through her long plait. She looked over to the head of the bed where there were two pillows and her eyes peered up "I need to get his leg elevated. Can someone get me some pillows from the top bunk?!" her head inclined upwards, nodding.
Lori handed her the top bunk pillows and Carol passed down the spare ones off the shelf. Anna cautiously lifted up Hershel's leg, Carol carefully placed the pillows under the stump and Lori passed her pillows she had gotten from the top bunk to help aid "Are you going to be okay, sweetie?" she asked, worried about her.
"Yeah, I have got to be" Anna replied, lying through her teeth. She looked at Carol, the older lady seeing the truth behind her eyes and nodded at Anna, feeling for her. For such a small woman she could carry so much emotional weight on her shoulders. And at the moment, she was carrying too much.
Maggie looked like she was just holding herself together, her hands shaking at her side. She stood back and taking a closer look at her dad, feeling panicked "Dad has already bled through the sheets, Anna. He has lost so much blood. How can he survive this?"
"We could burn the wound to clot the blood. I can start a fire" Glenn suggested, trying at least to feel hopeful.
Anna shook her head, knowing the danger behind that procedure "That won't do anything because of how the artery that is damaged. The shock alone will kill him. The blood needs to stop and then I need to get in there, sew the artery up and then we let it heal on its own. That is the only way I can stop the bleeding and hopefully Hershel will have the strength to survive this".
She had to believe because without hope how are they meant to survive day to day?
Daryl was ready, his eyes hard and never leaving the cell doors where the prisoners were going to come through. He could hear their muffled voices echoing through the corridors. There was no way in hell they were going to get anywhere near his family. One wrong move from any of them and they would be dead before they could even blink. He purposely dropped his keys hard on the table, taking the bolt he had in his mouth and drawing his cross bow up. One leg was up on a chair, aiming straight at the open cell door.
The footsteps were getting louder, they were getting closer. His breathing was slow and steady, keeping his emotions in check. The first prisoner stepped out, a Spanish man. "That's far enough!" Daryl warned.
"Cell block C. Cell 4. That is mine gringo, let me in!' Tomas informed him.
"Today is your lucky day fellas. You have been pardoned by the state of Georgia, you are free to go!" Daryl told them, squeezing his hand a little tighter on the handle of his cross bow.
"What have you got going on in here?" Tomas asked.
"Nothing that is of your concern" Daryl interrupted.
Tomas got out his gun from the waist band on his prison issued trousers, waving his gun to the side and shaking his head arrogantly "Don't you be telling me nothing of a pretty lady or a group that is on my turf is none of my concern"
The taller African American prisoner, Big Tiny stepped forward "Chill man, the dude had his leg cut off. I have a feeling if they wanted us dead, we would be. We still here alive and standing aren't we?"
Daryl took another step to the prisoners "The man has a point there".
Tomas shook his head, distrust in his eyes "A group of civilians breaking into a prison where they have no business being in. Make me believe there is no place for us to go!"
Daryl's lip curled up, taking a step closer to them "Why don't you go and find out!" he snarled.
"Maybe it is best we get going now" Axel suggested, a little afraid of the situation and was a bit intimidated by Daryl.
"Yeah, well we aren't leaving" Tomas shouted.
T Dog came around the corner with his gun raised "Yeah, well you ain't coming in either!" he told him.
Tomas raised his gun at T Dog "You sure about that?"
"Yeah, I am pretty sure you are not going to step one of those ugly toes of yours in with our people" Tom taunted as he walked around the corner. He stood there strong. His arms were raised and a semiautomatic shot gun in his hand. He smirked and tilted his head, being a little cocky "You might want to lower that weapon of yours because before you even fire it. I will have all of you laying on the ground dead!"
"What makes you so sure of that?" Tomas asked, feeling sure of himself and taking a step forward to Tom "What makes you so sure you are such a good shot?"
Tom scoffed at the arrogance of the prisoner, looking at T Dog whom just shook his head dispiritedly at the prisoners. Tom took a step forward to show who was the better man "I was a US Special forces soldier before the shit hit the fan with the dead people walking around the earth. So, the odds aren't in your favour to survive the situation you are in right now. Everyone's lives are in your hands buddy. What do you choose?"
"This is my house, my rules buddy! I will go where I damn well please!" he yelled, taking a dominant step forward. "By the way, where has that little woman wandered off too? Is she a doctor or something? Because I got a little pain in my groin that I am sure I know she will cure with the magic she has in those little hands of hers".
A person could hear a pin drop in that moment as the air was thick with tension and everyone looked at Daryl. T Dog looked at Tom with wide eyes because he knew how defensive Daryl was with anything to do with Anna. No one talks about Anna like that and get away with it. The hunter's jaw clenched tight, trying to hold in his anger. He looked down the scope of the cross bow "I suggest you choose your words more carefully if you don't want an arrow through one of your eye balls".
Tom looked at Daryl, not taking his eye off the prisoners "Come on, man. That sack of shit isn't worth the time or energy it would take for you to shoot your bolt. You should just use your knife".
"Oh did I say her hands? I meant her mouth. Oh that sweet thing would be oozing sugar and would work much better magic and make me feel all better. I can't tell you how long it has been since a woman went down" he taunted.
Tom lowered his gun, feeling sick in his stomach "You know what, man. This guy is a complete scum bag of a human being. I couldn't care less if you shot him in the face. Personally, I think it would be an improvement on that ugly mug of his. So make sure you don't miss and make it as painful as possible"
Everyone's heads jerked up hearing the argument that was echoing through the corridors of the prison. Their eyes widened with fear and their skin tingled of the unknown danger that was outside of their cell block. Samson quickly got up from his belly, alert and stood by the cell door. He had his nose in the air, smelling the danger. Samson knew something was wrong with his hunter best friend and he ran out of the cell. Anna heard Daryl's gravelly voice above all of the yelling from all of the men out there. It was a good sign, he was alive and she breathed a sigh of relief. He was about to kick whoever's ass was in that cell block and protect them all. She turned her attention back to Hershel, starting her work to mend the wound with the supplies from her bag.
"What was that? Whose voices were they?" Beth asked scared, looking at Rick for answers.
Beth had matured and grown up a lot since they got off the farm. But now, she looked her age. A scared little girl because she could be losing her father.
Rick craned his neck out to try and hear better about the situation "Prisoners, survivors" he told them, holding out his hand to try and calm everyone "Be calm. Don't worry, everything will be alright" looking at Anna and nodded at her.
"I will not let them in here" He could see the fear in Anna's eyes, scared she was going to lose. Putting his hand tenderly on her shoulder "Don't worry about it. I know you can do this".
He walked out from the cell, motioning for Glenn to follow him so he can have a word with him. He stopped near the entrance of their cell block. The girls and Anna needed Glenn to be there for them, his hands animated "I need you to stay by his side", looking to the direction of the voices "I need you to be there if he dies. After Dale, Anna will lose it. You think you can do this?"
Glenn looked a little nervous but he knew what he to do for his family "I can do this!"
"I can bring T in here" Rick suggested.
Glenn knew what he would have to do if the time came "I got this!"
Rick nodded, quickly leaving to go and help with what was happening with Daryl, T and Tom.
Daryl growled because the asshole got under his skin. He took steps towards Tomas, snarling "There isn't nothing for you here, so why don't you just go back to your own sand box and stick your head in the dirt!"
Rick came running around the corner with his machete in his hand. He skidded to a stop Samson close by his side. He could see that Daryl was about to rip the guy's head off "Daryl, no!" he urged, holding his hand out in peace "There is no need for any of this, calm down alright".
Samson was on the tips of his toes, making him look taller. His black fur glistening, the hair on his back standing up like a mohawk. He was growling, a low belly rumble. His lips were curled up and his white teeth showing. His orange eyes solely focused on Tomas.
Being the gutless man he seemed to be, Tomas then pointed the gun at Samson.
"Aww hell no" Daryl thought taking a further step to him. He narrowed his eyes at the man "I suggest you lower your gun from that dog! If you don't, it will be the last thing you will do".
"And why is that?" he asked, cocking his head sideways "It is just a damn dog! Is it part wolf or something?"
"Because you will die from either me shooting you with an arrow through your eye or you will have the dog ripping your throat out because we are both damn well faster than you are with the piece of shit hand gun there in your hand" Daryl told him.
"Then his owner will beat the hell out of you when you are dead on the floor. There will be nothing left of you to be able to tell that is you. No one hurts their dog and gets away with it" Tom warned.
They all looked between the two men, waiting for either one to move on the other.
"How many of you are there?" Tomas asked, taking a brave step forward.
Rick smirked, tilting his head to the side "Too many for you to handle".
Tomas' eyes darted around wildly, his gun still held up steady "Did you all rob a bank or something? Why don't you just take the old man to a hospital?"
Rick, Tom, T Dog and Daryl all looked around at each other. The prisoners had no idea what was going on outside of the prison.
Then Rick stepped forward, breaking the silence "How long have you been in this cafeteria?"
Hershel's blood was caked all up Anna's arms. It was so thickly caked on her hands; the blood was cracking and making her skin itch with irritation. The smell of copper still filling her nose, making her recoil a little. Anna normally wasn't affected by the smell of blood but it was somehow different with Hershel. He was someone she cared about. She wiped her hands on a rag and chucked it in the corner of the cell. Her stitching kit was laying on the bed side table, all set out by Carol as per Anna's instructions. Lori passed her the sterile gauze and bandages, smiling at Anna and gently putting her hand on her shoulder as she got up off her knees. Lori had to try and do what she could to make her feel better and to give her the confidence to get through this. "See, the blood had to stop eventually. You did a good job sweetie. You be proud of yourself".
Anna was mentally so tired, her muscles tensed and were locked hard with the stress and anxiety. They ached as she wrapped the padded wound with a bandage. Fear and doubt starting to creep into her mind, making her feel nervous "If I can get him through this…"
Lori turned to face her from wiping her hands in the basin "When you get him through this you mean"
"When I get him through this, he is going to need some crutches to get around at the start. It will take me a little while to design a new leg with the lack of supplies we have. I watched on enough with my work with the wounded men in the army. I should be able to make him a new leg" Anna commented.
"What we need is more sterile gauze, bandages, antibiotics and pain killers. There has got to be an infirmary around here" Lori pointed out, chucking the bloodied rags into a bucket. "Your supplies will only last so long".
Anna tried to wipe the blood from her hands "You must also be worried about delivering the baby".
Lori looked down at Anna, seeing the young woman feeling so down trodden and defeated. Anna needed to know she was stronger than what she felt she was. Lori had every confidence in her, wishing she herself had been more kind to her from the start. To not have been so cruel and heartless to Anna since it was found out she was immune to a walker bite "Look at me, do I looked worried?"
"You look disgusting actually and you smell pretty bad too!" she told her, actually laughing a little at her joke "The smell is actually burning my nose a little" There was even a little hint of a genuine smile on her face.
"So does the smell from you young lady! Look at you, you have been hanging around Daryl too long. You smell just like him!" Lori laughed back, patting Anna on the shoulder as she pulled herself off her knee "We will get through this".
If someone had of asked either woman at the farm would they become good friends, both would have thought they were crazy. Lori jealous of how Anna was with Carl, being able to control him. Rick going to her for help and advice when he needed to know how to do. Just about everyone loved Anna. Lori now wishes he had pulled her head from the clouds because she didn't know where she would be without Anna. Anna being the stubborn woman she is, not backing down when there is an argument, getting under everyone's skin both in a good way and bad. Sometimes even both at the same time.
Rick's voice echoing through the cell block. She heard something about food.
"Any change?"
Anna looked up, seeing Rick with two big bag of food in his arm "I got the bleeding under control and patched his leg up. He has no fever. But his breathing is laboured, his pulse is weak and he hasn't woken up yet".
Rick turned around, inclining his head back "Take my cuffs off me and put them on him. We can't take any chances for anyone to get hurt or die if he turns".
Glenn tentatively took them from Rick, giving a remorseful look to Anna. He felt sorry for her because he knew how Anna would be feeling in saving Hershel. And in the time Glenn had come to know her and how she is when it comes to helping her family. Anna always had to do everything she was capable of to help the people she loved. Hershel's injury put a seed of doubt in her mind and a dark cloud over her. She took so much responsibility on her shoulders, feeling guilty because of how she was being immune. Anna held up her hand, they were shaking a little. The anxiety getting a hold of her. Glenn shook his head, putting his hand on her shoulder and squeezing it gently "I got this".
She stood up with her back against the wall as Glenn put the cuffs on his wrist and chaining him to the bed rail. Her eyes never leaving Hershel, hoping and praying he would make it out alive and well. Beth came into the cell, putting down a pair of trousers on desk.
Maggie was close behind "What is going on?"
"We had to" Glenn told her.
"It is just a precaution" Carol told Maggie.
The eldest Greene daughter sighed, resigning to the fact she might have to say her goodbyes to her father "Can I have a minute alone with him?"
"Do you want me too?" Glenn asked but Maggie shook her head, just holding it together
"No, just me" Maggie told him.
All Anna could do was nod, not being able to even put a smile on her face. She leaned down, lazily picking up her cross bow and going out the door, avoiding Maggie's eyes. Maggie could see her guilt, her pain and she gently grabbed her by the arm "Hey". Anna looked at her.
"It's not on you" Maggie nodded at her, not being able to speak much more herself. Anna acknowledge her with a slight nod and left.
Anna eased her body gently down onto the thin mattress. She could feel her knee swollen, screwing up her nose because of the pain that was pulsating through her whole leg now. Anna gingerly unclasped the buckles, they just fell away. All broken and brittle. She pulled away the Velcro straps. They weren't much better, the material was worn down and the stitching loose, easily pulled away. Cautiously, she pulled away the brace, dropping it on the ground and feeling utterly frustrated because she didn't have a knee brace anymore. "Great, just great" she whispered, "Just what I need". Anna swirled her ankle around, trying to get rid of the stiffness and to iron out the constant cramps that was always riddling through her bad leg.
All of her photos were now stuck on the wall and her camera was sitting on the bed side table. Her favourite photo of her and Daryl looking at each other was stuck at the head of her bed. It was a luxury to have somewhere comfortable to sleep and peacefully at that. To be able to call a place home and not to have to keep one eye open for any walkers or humans for that matter.
But then again, the prisoners in the other cell block have proven a point.
Even when they thought they were safe, there was always something that came up and bit them in the ass. All of them never could let their guard down completely again. Her whole body ached with a dull pain too much stress and just with all of the physical activity her knee pulsating with a sharp feeling.
Every day was hell for her, feeling the guilt of being alive while others she loved were dead because of the bite. She was staring down at her hands, the blood making her recoil away in pain. The demons were dancing around in her head, taunting her with all sorts of terrifying, evil whispers about her being alive while others are dead. Her breathing stuttered, the sobs wanting to escape but she refused to let them lose because that meant that the demons won their little game.
Daryl stood at the door, holding the bucket of water and a rag in his other hand. Samson quietly walked in, nudging Anna's hand with his nose. Daryl's shoulders slumped down, feeling real pissed off at the world. Couldn't Anna ever catch a break? It wasn't fair for something so good to constantly keep getting kicked down to the ground as bad as she has been her whole life. It scared him because what if one day she couldn't get back up from one of those falls? What if it all got too much for her?
"Half Pint" he softly called to her, carefully walking into the cell and sitting down beside her on the bed. He put down the bucket of water and dropped the rag in the bucket. Absentmindedly he patted Samson behind the ears. The dog loved his owner to no end. He always knew when she was upset.
"I can't have Hershel dying, Daryl" Anna didn't move from her spot on the bed. She was focusing so hard on trying to shut off the emotions that were threatening to bubble to the surface. She just stared blankly ahead, finding a random crack on the wall and focused on that "I don't know how I'd be able to cope losing someone else close to me. I don't want to lose any more family", her shoulders shaking ever so slightly from holding in the sobs.
"Anna..." he started, but she didn't loo at him. "Anastacia, you need you look at me" he whispered, being a little more serious by calling her actual name.
Hesitantly, he gently took her tiny little hands into his. They were so small compared to his. Such little hands capable of such great things. All those lives she had saved and families she brought back together. Daryl leaned down, picking up the wet cloth from inside the bucket and carefully wiped away the blood of Hershel, wiping away at her fingers first "You just tell me if I am being too rough on you".
"I have had worse handling before by a man" Samson hopped up on her bed, his eyes not leaving Anna.
It scared him, he had only seen this look on her once before and it was with Dale's death. Now, she was so close to falling off the edge and losing it all together "Don't you go disappearing on me now. You have to stay with me here. You did great back there with Hershel and there's nothing more anyone else could have done. We have just gotta wait now and hope for the best that it will all turn out for the better".
Her voice was barely above a whisper, cracking as she talked "I saw Dale on the bed" Anna looked at Daryl, letting the bottled up emotions come to the surface. Her hands were shaking as the anxiety finally came to surface "I couldn't save Dale" she cried, looking up at him "What if I can't save Hershel?"
Daryl dropped the rag in the bucket "Come here" he said, taking her into a hug. Anna leans into his side with her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes and taking in the comfort that her hunter always brought her during times like now. He had that something special "What happened to Dale was not your fault. Anyone dying in the world the way it is now is nobody's fault. As hard as it is for any of us and I know it sucks. But it is a common fact of life for us all to accept now".
Daryl pulled his arm from around the little woman that was nestled into his shoulder "But there will be no dying on your part until you are an old woman in a bed and reading one of the wizard books of yours. I will make sure of it".
She sniffed, taking a clean rag and wiping away the tears from her face "Well you better be careful then because you are already old".
He shook his head, chuckling and his shoulders shaking a little "That really is a bad joke".
"I wouldn't be me if I didn't make one" she joked, wiping a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Daryl got up off Anna's bed and it creaked a little with the less weight on it "I need to get going. Rick, me, T Dog and Tom got half of the food supplies from the prisoners. In turn we have got to help them clear out their cell block and make it safe for them".
Anna attempted to get up but the pain shot through her knee and she cringed in agony. She clenched her teeth, taking a quick inhale. Her nose screwed up in pain. Daryl held out his hand, knowing to not smother Anna with help because she hated it. But he was still concerned. Anna took his hand gladly, getting up off the bed "Thanks".
There was a moment of silence as Anna looked into Daryl's eyes "When I looked into the eyes of some of those prisoners, my gut instincts were screaming at me to run away and were telling me not to trust them. I had seen that evil look before in a man's eyes and the next thing I knew I woke up in a hospital after almost dying from a beating from a bad guy. You have to be careful with those prisoners, yeah. Don't make the same mistake as I did and turn your back on them! I want you to come back to me here in one piece" she told him pointedly, focused.
"I will, don't you worry about it" he answered, nodding his head at her. For the amount of time Anna has been in his life, it was a strange and unknown feeling to him to have her worry about him as much as she does. It was different to Merle or even with Rick or Carol. Daryl was coming to grips with it, understanding it more and he liked having it in his life. It was a feeling that Daryl never wanted to let go of now that he had something priceless in his grasp.
Anna nodded her head, looking down to her at shoes and looked back up at him "Even if you get a scratch on you because of them being douchebags and are being reckless they will have to deal with me! I will beat their asses into the ground".
Daryl laughed at her, shaking his head and stroking his chin. Anna crossed her arms across her chest and leaned on her good leg "What is that look for on your face?" she asked.
"You want to kick four prisoners asses for laying a little girly scratch on me?" he asked.
"Yeah…" she replied, a dead pan look on her face "Anyone who messes with someone I care about, will get their asses kicked until their nose bleeds and their guts are hanging out of their mouths. And then I will hang them from the rafters from the roof. They are going to want to wish they are dead".
"I wouldn't expect anything less from you" he pointed out.
She nudged his shoulder "Damn straight".
Anna held onto the bars of the staircase, steadying herself to stop the wobbles of her unsteady knee as she descended down. Samson walked ahead a few sets of stairs and then turning himself around, walking backwards to keep his eye on her as she walked. Daryl saw the pain she was in. He shook his head, taking two steps to be standing beside her "You aren't alright", he told her and offering Anna his hand, giving her a look to not argue with him.
She sighed in defeat, taking Daryl's hand. He knew Anna didn't like asking for help.
Anna was a little unsteady going down a step. Her knee was weak from the day actions. She took an over eager step and the knee gave away, going out from underneath her "Shit", she muttered, stumbling. Daryl's eyes widened, his muscles tensed and without a second thought, he put his hand around the little woman's shoulder and took her other hand in is. She leaned into him, her heart back into her chest "Thanks for that save. I almost landed on my ass there".
"You don't have to ever thank me for helping you. We are family, it is what we do for each other without a second thought about the matter" Daryl replied.
"I just want you to know that's it appreciated anyway. I know what it is like to not have you around, to be in a world of hurt with no help and thinking I was going to die and that maybe I would never see you again. I am not going to be taking anything for granted" she told him.
Daryl still kept close to her as they walked down the steps and into the corridor of their cells. He leaned, patting Samson behind the ears. Looking into the dog's eyes, he was old and had seen so much with his family and was always there for his owner "You look after your momma while I am gone boy".
Anna rolled her eyes at Daryl, shooing him away with her hands and laughing "See you when you get back".
As Daryl walked away, looking over his shoulder "You stay out of trouble while I am gone".
"Always" she replied, smirking.
"I will believe that when I see it" he called out, his voice echoing through the doors.
Rick was handing T Dog and Carl a large bag of food, Samson sniffing him all out. Anna held onto the railing, holding her balance to stop her from falling. She smiled, tiredly and making eye contact with Rick, who took it as his cue to walk over to her. Anna looked over his shoulder, to see a defeated looking Lori.
"I got it" she mouthed.
"Thank you" Lori replied.
At a closer look, Rick looked even more tired. She playfully nudged his shoulder "I can see your brain working overtime, officer friendly. What are you really going to do about those prisoners back there?"
Anna knew him all too well "We are going to help them clear out their own cell block and we will be in here"
And she knew there was more going on in that head of his "Any chance they will try and take over? Run us out of here"
"I am no giving up this prison" Rick firmly told her.
"What sort of weapons do they have? Much ammunition?" Anna asked.
"I only saw that one of them had a gun" Rick closed his eyes, looking down to the ground and rubbing the bridge of his nose "I don't think it will work".
"What do you think you have to do?" Anna asked, knowing all too well what his answer will be.
"Kill them" Rick admitted, his face blank of emotion. Why was it so easy to just say they were going to kill a person so easily? Even if they were the scum of the earth."
Anna leaned off the railing of the stairs, stepping closer so that she was standing in front of Rick and looking up into his eyes "If that is what you think is right, then I got your back on this 100% all of the way on the decision. We can't trust the prisoners. Especially if you want to keep Lori, Carl and the new baby safe. I will help you with anything you need".
Rick is the one they all follow. If he wanted the prisoners dead, he would be the one to convince them all that it would be safer if the prisoners were gone.
"You say that, Anna. My wife on the other hand is another matter altogether" Rick said to her, looking over at Lori with a little look of resentment on his face, overhearing what Rick said "We haven't be on good talking terms for a long time".
She didn't have to look back to know who Rick was looking at just by reading the disappointed, hurt expression on his face "You have got to try and give her even just a little chance. Lori knows she made a mistake and she is kicking herself for it. She will for a long time to come. We all have made slip ups that we all regret. We just all learn to cope with them hanging around in our lives".
Rick's brows were furrowed; hands were on his hips as he looked down at her. To be honest, he couldn't believe Anna was standing up Lori after what she had done, being so cruel to her "After all of the pain she has caused you? All of those cruel words Lori has said to you ever since she met you? How can you forgive her for what she said?"
"Such is life and we learn to move on from the horrors we go through or we learn to live with them. We can't afford to hold grudges with our family whether they are blood or not, because we don't know which day would be our last. Even if we didn't have the dead walking around. Imagine living with that sort regret? You would never forgive yourself! The guilt can kill the best of people. Lori knows she hasn't been the best wife to you or mother to Carl. Your wife knows you don't have malice in your heart or that you are a cold blooded murderer. As hard as it is, you need to try and talk to her. It's tough, trust me I know. Been there, done that and earnt that merit badge too many time than I like to admit".
Rick was worn down and tired. His eyes a little dull. Anna has been noticing the light was draining away day by day. The same was happening to her. There were lines across his eye brows from concentrating too much. Rick felt a soft, endearing touch of Anna's to his arm. He looked up into Anna's unique green eyes and a little smile on her face "I know it will take some time but you need to try and make it right with Lori. If not for you, do it for Carl and your unborn child. You do not want to live with that kind of regret in your life. You aren't that sort of man that discards him family like they mean nothing to him".
Anna thoughtfully put her hand on his arm, smiling. Rick closed his eyes, relishing in the warmth, compassion he felt by her touch. She took a step back "No matter how old a person gets, they will always need their mom and dad. I know I wish I had mine longer than I did, even before the dead stared walking he earth. There has never been a day when I don't think about them. Carl and the baby need you!"
Glenn was absentmindedly handling the watch in his hand Hershel had given him. Closing his eyes and making a silent prayer to whatever was watching over them all. To pull Hershel through this.
"Hey superman!" a voice called out to him
Glenn was brought out of his trance, looking up to see Anna painfully limping along. By the looks of it, Anna had hurt her knee real bad his time. He walked up to her, taking her arm and helping her walk "Knee brace rubbing bad again? I have been keeping an eye out for one ever since you asked".
"Yeah, damn thing is officially no good to me anymore. That other one was rubbing on me and hurting like hell. The clasps were only just holding together and it finally gave in" Anna answered, thankful she had Glenn to hold on to.
Glenn and Daryl were the only ones that helped her out her genuinely in a way where she didn't feel like that kicked little puppy on the street "Please, just don't tell Daryl about this yet. We all know I can cope with the brace the way it is but I don't he will see it that way. I have just got to have better padding on underneath and the rubbing of the wounds won't be so bad".
Glenn nodded, taking his hand away. He shook his head, smirking. God Anna was so stubborn. They were just a cell block away from Hershel so no one else could hear them. "Let me put a hypothetical situation to you here" Glenn put out there, holding his hands out "What happens when Daryl sees those cuts, bruises and blisters on your bad leg? Which Daryl will by the way, simply because he doesn't miss a beat when it comes to you. Nothing goes by him that has anything to do with you without him knowing. You know that saying where you watch a person like a hawk? Yeah, that is putting it mildly when Daryl watches over you. I don't think there is anything that we can say what it is".
Glenn smiled at her, gently rubbing her shoulder "I have lost count of the world wars era fights you two have had between yourselves and you both had gotten over it because you both could never stay mad at each other. So maybe you should tell him before he sees it for himself without you telling him. He will still be pissed that you hid it from him but at least it won't be as bad if you didn't tell him".
"Yeah, you are right" Anna admitted, playing with Samson's ears "By the way I reckon Daryl is going to be more than pissed with me. He is going to be having seam coming out of his ears".
"Yeah he will" Glenn laughed, "But then at least you will have two people looking for a new knee brace for you. Daryl won't admit it out loud, but he cares about you in his own way and just wants what is best for you. He won't stop until he finds you one" Glenn told her.
Anna let out a sigh, her hands trembling with nerves as they reached Hershel's cell. She opened her eyes and forced herself to put a half-hearted smile on her face, trying to mask her worries that were hidden behind the façade she was putting on "Yeah that is the part that has me worried, Glenn. Daryl will stop at nothing to help me and he will end getting himself killed trying to help me, saving me in some way. I don't want him to get himself killed for me".
"Daryl sees it as his job to protect us all and he would do anything for his family. But you are even closer to him, you are something more special compared to the rest of us. And I can't quite put my finger on it why. Just don't tell him I said that, he would stop my ass to the ground and call me a dumb ass China man" Glenn was attempting to make her feel better.
And it worked, Anna laughed softly. Her eyes brightening a little "Nah, he would call you a dumb ass Korean, not dumb ass China man" she joked, "He knows you better now".
Glenn had told her about the time in the alley way when they had gone to get Merle and the guns. Anna couldn't believe Daryl any different than he was now and Glenn had told her this story to show how much he had changed.
Before Anna knew it, she was engulfed into a hug and a blur of blonde hair in her face "Thank you so much for everything Anna. I don't know where we all would be if we didn't have you in our group. Thank you!"
They pulled apart from the hug. Anna looked around at Maggie, Lori, Glenn and Carol "Oh I don't know about that. I am sure you all would have gotten along fine without me here. You all would have found a way to survive".
"We would have but it wouldn't have been the same without you" Maggie pointed out "Daryl would have been grumpier than what he is now, that's for sure".
"I don't want to imagine that. I like Daryl how he is now" Glenn mumbled, the colour draining from his face a little and shifting on his feet "Not like what he was back then".
Everyone smiled at the joke and even though it was just for a brief moment, they were all happy. From outside the cell, there was a gate that creaked shut. Anna glanced up at Glenn and he leaned out of the cell, apprehension his face "I thought you were organising the food, Carl!"
Carl had a duffel bag in one hand and a gun in the other. Anna should have known when Samson was sniffing around Carl, he could tell he was up to something. Carl had a look of accomplishment on his face "I was doing something even better" he said to Glenn, a grin on his face.
He dropped the bag in the middle of the cell floor, opening it up to show bandages of all sizes, antiseptic creams and gauzes "See, look what I found!"
Carol gasped, amazed at all of the supplies and gave a hopeful smile to Anna "Where did you get all of these?" she asked Carl.
"I found the infirmary, there much left but I cleared it out" Carl told her.
"By yourself?" Lori almost yelled.
"Yeah" Carl informed her.
"Are you crazy?" Lori screeched.
"I killed two walkers" Carl stated.
"Do you see this? This was with the whole group!" Lori shrieked, pointing towards Hershel.
"We needed supplies so I got them!" Carl reminded her.
"I appreciate that!" Lori replied.
"Then get off my back!" Carl roared.
"Carl! That is enough from you, okay. She is your mother and you do not talk to her in that way. You want to be treated as an adult, you need to start acting like one because at the moment you are acting like someone less than your age" Anna growled.
She shook her head, her eyes were focused on Carl for a second before she took off the old bandages, taking the new ones from Maggie's hand. Quickly working away at Hershel's leg "I don't mind taking turns to be the bad person when he is in moods like that. You can't be the bad guy all of the time".
Glenn came into the cell "It is a good thing you have been teaching Carol and Hershel what you have been doing as well. They can teach the rest of us so we all won't get caught out again" She had been working with Carol and Hershel to teach them basics of surgery, stitching up wounds and bandaging.
"I need your help with something" Carol asked, getting up off her knees.
"Now?" Glenn wondered.
"Yeah, now" Carol answered him.
"What is it?" Glenn asked.
"Not here" Carol warned.
"I can't leave Hershel" Glenn told her.
"This is important" Carol told him, quickly looking back at Lori.
"I cannot…" .
"Go on, we got this" Lori said, patting down Hershel's head with a damp cloth.
"We will be fine" Beth alleged.
"We aren't going to be gone long" Carol promised.
"Rick said to me." Glenn pleaded.
"It's fine" Maggie assured him.
Glenn reluctantly took a step out of the cell "Alright".
With her knee on the floor, the blisters were torn and her cuts were stinging. A hot sensation pain was pulsating from her knee to her hip. Her breathing was sharp and her hands wanted to shake from the amount of pain but Hershel was more important at the moment. No amount of pain could get her to stop what she was doing to try and save him. She put her hand on his wrist to check his pulse and her eyes widened and her body tense. Hershel's pulse was very faintly slowly down. Anna looked to his chest and his breathing had stopped "Everyone needs to get back! Now!"
"What's happening?" Beth asked, worried about her dad. She got closer, seeing what was happening "Anna! Anna! Please do something!" she screamed, "You have to save him! Please don't let him die! Please, we can't lose our dad!"
Anna started doing compressions on his chest, her bad knee jolting against the ground with each compression. She placed her mouth of his to allow air flow through to his lungs and went back to compression. This was going to be the last set. She dragged her leg over, exhausted beyond belief and in white hot pain "You are not going to die today!" she whispered, leaning down and breathing into his mouth "Come on Hershel, come back to your family".
Suddenly, his arms were wrapped around her head. Anna tried to pull away out of his hold but his arms were clenched tight over her shoulders and had a hold of her long plait. She was pushing at his body, trying to get away but she couldn't. Then suddenly she was pulled away from Hershel by Maggie and Beth. They stood there, in shock and gasping and staring at Hershel. The three of them, stood there with their arms around each other. Protecting each other. Carl hand his gun pointed at him from the cell door. His hands shaking a little, scared at the thought of having to shoot someone like Hershel.
Hershel had started breathing again.
Rick, Daryl, T Dog and Tom came back into the cell block. Rick saw Carl, standing with Glenn and his son had a genuine smile on his face. It was something he hadn't seen in a long, long time on Carl's face.
"Hershel stopped breathing', Carl looked up at his father and behind him, looking at Daryl and Tom "And Anna was like a super hero and she saved him".
"It's true!" Glenn told team "Anna did great, as she always does", nodding at Rick as he passed into his cell.
Anna was in doctor mode, checking Hershel's breathing with her stethoscope and holding the old man's wrist in her hand and checking his pulse. She didn't even notice Rick come in, he put her hand on her shoulder and she jumped at the touch "Jesus Christ, Rick. You just gave me a heart attack" she whispered, holding her hand to her heart.
"Sorry" he whispered, squeezing her shoulder "Didn't meant to scare you there".
"There you are off with the fairies again, Annie" Tom taunted, a smirk on his face.
"You know what I am like in doctor mode, Tom. Need I remind you about that new year's eve at the hospital?" Anna answered him, looking over her shoulder and pointedly looking at him, one eye brow raised.
"How could I forget! You almost jabbed me with a needle when I crept up behind you at Grady Memorial hospital that new year's eve once. I almost dropped that very expensive bottle of French Champagne that I got from my grandfather's wine cellar".
Rick looked between Anna, bewildered "You kidding me?"
"Nope" Tom answered him.
"Well I know that for next time. But here is hoping there won't be a next time" Rick
Everyone had a little laugh about that joke.
"Daddy" Maggie and Beth gasped.
Hershel was waking up, Anna shone her little torch light in each of his eyes and they were responsive. Her face lit up like a Christmas tree and her old smile was on her face. She looked up at Rick, nodding. He quickly got his cuff keys out of his hands and unlocked the cuff off Hershel's wrist.
Hershel lifted up his hand to Anna, squeezing her hand gently. He looked between Anna and Rick. She could hear the thanks in his eyes.
"I will leave you to rest" she whispered, "It is good to have you back. You had me scared there for a little while".
Beth turns to Anna and says "I can't thank you enough" and gives her a warm embrace before turning back to her father.
"Does this mean I can get the rest of the day off?" Anna asked, half-heartedly.
Rick looked up from Hershel "You can have the rest of the day off and tomorrow as well, for all that you have done the past couple of days. Gives you a chance to recover and get some rest".
"I am not the only one…" Anna said, looking around at everyone and feeling guilty, "Everyone else needs a rest too".
Daryl stiffened a little besides Anna, shifting his cross back on his back and biting on his nails. Rick saw Daryl's body language and he simply gave Anna a stern look. He put on his big brother face.
Anna raised her hands in surrender, realising she was losing the battle "I promise not to venture too far. I can help look after Hershel, make sure he stays stable. Besides, us cripples need to stick together and keep each other sane" Anna joked, looking down at Hershel with a grin. He even had a little smiling glint in his eyes.
"Well, Glenn, looks like you get the day off too man" Daryl joked.
Tom smirked, looking at Daryl and looked at him weird. Those two liked revving each "You would want to know, Anna. We got powdered milk, sugar and coffee".
Daryl's eyes bulged "Aw man. Hell no!" he complained, remembering what she is like with caffeine in her system and being without it for so long, "Ya'all don't have to deal with her on it after having no coffee for so long"
She beams with delight and pokes her tongue out at Daryl "Come on, I am not that bad".
He scoffs, folding his arms across his chest "I call bull shit".
Tom laughs "Like hell you aren't. You are like a little energizer bunny when you are on caffeine. You all should see her when she is on Red Bull".
"Oh energy drinks" Anna thought out loud, distant look "I miss them so much".
"We didn't find any" Daryl teased, nudging her with his shoulder.
Anna stumbled to the side, faulting on her knee "And on this note, I am falling asleep on my feet here. If you all need me for Hershel, just come and get me".
Behind her, Daryl watched her trying all that she had not to limp. He went to walk off but was stopped by Glenn. In his hand was gauze, bandages, strapping clasps and flexible strapping tape. Daryl took them Glenn, nodding his thanks.
"Anna's knee brace has been wearing down, broken. It has been happening for a while. It is rubbing on her pretty bad and causing a lot of trouble for her. I think you are the better person of us all to patch her up. All she wanted to do was what was best for the group. Anna doesn't like to let anyone down so that's why she didn't tell you. Anna spends so much time protecting all of us, she forgets to take care of herself. Anna was doing what she believed was the right thing to do for the good of the group. So, please go easy on her." Glenn asked, feeling hopeful and going back into the cell with everyone else.
He also didn't want another world war era type of fight.
He found Anna on her bed, eyes closed and focusing on her pain. Daryl knocked on the bars the cell to bring her from the concentration. She opened her eyes, looking tired but smiling "Hey" she whispered. There were dark circles under her eyes, her skin was pale and a sheen of sweat covered her body, making her clothes stick to her. The last of the adrenaline was leaving her body from the day's events and she was feeling herself trying to fall asleep. The day was finally catching up with her.
"How is your knee holding up?" Daryl asked her, motioning his hands.
"Do you want the truth?" Anna answered.
"I knew you were putting on a brave face"
"There was never a doubt in my mind you wouldn't be able to save Hershel's life", he told her as he walked to her and sat down beside her on the bed "I am proud of you for kicking ass today", playfully nudging her with his shoulder "No one else could have done what you did".
"How long has your brace been broken for?" Daryl asked her.
Anna's eyes were focused on her feet, unable to bring herself to look at Daryl "A couple of weeks and I have been coping with some short term fixes. But today it finally bit the dust on me" she admitted sheepishly, plucking up the courage to look him in the eyes "It had been wearing down on me for a couple of months now. With everything going on, I didn't want to put the stress on anyone, especially you. I didn't you to be always looking over your shoulder, looking out for me and getting yourself killed in the process".
Daryl, he had to clench his teeth hard to stop himself from growling out loud at her. Anna could read Daryl like a book "You are pissed with me aren't you?"
Daryl wanted to be angry but looking at Anna, but couldn't bring himself to be. Daryl couldn't have stayed angry at her even if he tried "Oh I am hell pissed but only because you didn't let me help you" he sighed with exasperation, "We are team and a family, Anna. We are stuck with each other for life and there is no escaping that promise, remember".
There was a moment of silence "Alright then, we had better get that knee cleaned up so I can make you a make shift knee brace with the stuff Glenn gave me. He thought you would bite his head off so he sent me into the battle ground".
She rolled her eyes, holding out her hand "Can you please pass me a pair of my shorts. It will make it easier to dress this wounded knee of mine".
He put down the medical supplies and reach for her bag and getting out her bike shorts, handing them to her.
"Thanks"
Politely and for her honour, Daryl turned on the bad so that his back was facing her.
"Now he comes the hard part" she muttered and pulling down her trousers "This is going to hurt like an s.o.b".
She got to her knee, focusing and taking a deep breath because going past her knee was going to hurt like a bitch. Slowly, Anna began to slide her trousers down her legs, stopping part way and whimpered because of the stinging pain of the torn skins and blisters. The dark coloured bruises. Daryl went to turn around to help her but Anna stopped him, holding up her hand "No, it's okay. I can do this. I don't want to scar you for life seeing me in my underwear" she told him.
Anna took a moment to take a breath, preparing herself. Slowly, she pulled her trousers down. Anna shifted herself a little, shimmying her legs and getting them out of her trousers. She reached for her loose blue Nike bike shorts and put them on. Gently she unwrapped her bandages and peeled off her gauze "I am ready for the infliction of terrible stinging pain", Anna joked.
Daryl turned, his eyes balked a little looking at the state of Anna's knee. The sides were rubbed down raw, cut and blood was sweeping from the open burst blisters. Bruises spread across her knee, coming from her mid-thigh and four inches below her knee.
With all the anger he had, Daryl wanted to yell and scream at Anna for being so damn stupid. How could she not tell him of all people with the pains she was in? What if she fell or a walker knocked her over and she got sick again? But seeing the look on her face, he didn't have the heart to do it as much as he wanted to. It scared him how much risk she was taking and not taking care of himself.
He picked up the wet antibacterial wipes, shaking his head at her "Anna, Anna, Anna. What am I going to do with you?"