Chapter 34

I woke up that night unable to sleep. I did not wish to wake Daryl so I silently left the tent. I took my bow and quiver just in case. Since I was unable to sleep I thought I may as well keep watch. I climbed up my tree and found a way to sit and be comfortable and not fall. I saw Anthony and Eveleen walking across the fields together. I smiled, happy that Anthony had found someone. Eveleen truly lived to her name. She was a true Irish beauty. I looked out towards the woods and my eyes widened. I jumped down from the tree and ran to Anthony.

"Anthony give me your binoculars!" I said.

He tossed them to me and I immediately looked out towards the object I had seen. I nearly dropped the binoculars.

"Prue?" Eveleen asked.

I could find no words to say. Anthony took the binoculars and he actually dropped them.

"Oh my god."

I ran forward like an eagle on the wind. I jumped the fence and continued to run.

"CHRIS!"

"Prue?"

As I got closer I gasped. There was a large gash across his chest.

"Goddess Hecate!" I said.

I ran forward and put his arm over my shoulder and wrapped my other arm around him. Anthony and Eveleen finally reached me and Anthony helped me get him back.

"BRANDON!" Anthony shouted.

I saw Brandon come running towards us.

"Holy shit! Chris!" He said.

Brandon took my place and I rushed back to my tent.

"Daryl! Daryl wake up!"

He came tumbling out of the tent with his crossbow ready.

"Are ye okay!? What happened?"

"Chris! He's alive! He came back!" I said.

"What?"

I took his hand and we ran back to the house. Anthony had awakened Hershel and he was now helping Chris. Patricia came out.

"How is he?" I asked.

"He's lost a lot of blood. He'll need a some in order to make a full recovery. Anyone know his blood type?" She asked.

I shook my head.

"I do. It's O. But I don't have the same and neither does Anthony." Brandon said.

She looked at me and I shook my head. I was A negative.

"I have O." Came a soft voice.

I turned and looked at Carol.

"Carol?"

"I have O blood type. Don't waste any time and just take it. I have plenty." She said.

I rushed forward and hugged her.

"Thank you."

She hugged me quickly and then went into the room with Patricia. I sat down on the couch and put my face in my hands.

"It's gonna be alright little darlin'. If he can get back here with that he sure as hell ain't gonna die now." Daryl said.

I looked at him as he sat down next to me. I threw my arms around his neck and squeezed my eyes shut. He wrapped his strong arms around me and never let go. Eveleen held onto Anthony's hand and Andrea came in.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Chris came back. He's alive. Had a really bad gash across his chest. Hershel's said he needed some blood. None of us had his blood type…but Carol did. She's in there now with him. Bless her!" Brandon said.

I opened my eyes and watched as Andrea crossed the room and took Brandon in her arms. Anthony looked pale and so did Brandon. I knew I probably looked the same. With every bit of strength I had I stood up and they looked at me. I took a deep breath and started to sing.

White grows the lily, red grows the rose

Here lies my laddie, look how he grows

One day he'll leave me

To cross shadowed seas

Pray god protected him

Keep him safe with me

Rose shows its wisdoms, from love lost on youthProtector of passions and soldier of truthFor royal resplendence I bow to its bloomBut thorns rest beneath it, and there lies my doomLily knows little, but innocence scornedOn banner of blood shed for villains adornedlike pale ghosts in moonlight, I fear for their fateto grow on a gravesite, may yet be too lateThis garden is weary, its soil is tolledOf decades in turmoil, its left bled for goldMy son is a child, but man he'll soon bewith red rose upon him, he'll die by lily

White grows the lily, red grows the roseHere lay my laddie, how the wind blows!Now he has left me, to cross shadowed seasPray god protect him, keep him safe for me

As I finished Hershel and Patricia came out. Carol followed them. She looked a little drained of color but otherwise alright. She looked at us and said,

"I don't want him to know it was me. Don't ask why just please don't tell him."

We all nodded and then we all started to go in. Hershel stopped us.

"Only 4 at a time." He said.

"You guys go." I said.

"You sure?" Anthony asked.

I smiled and nodded. Then I remembered something.

"No one is to tell Shane of Chris's return." I said.

"Why not?"

"Shane is Rick's best friend. It will cause chaos and rip this group apart." I said.

They nodded and then Andrea, Brandon, Anthony and Eveleen went inside the room. I took a deep breath and leaned into Daryl.

"Ye alright?" He asked.

I turned and held his face in my hands.

"Chris is back, we are married…..I have never been happier." I said.

He smiled and pressed his lips to mine. My hands fell to his chest and I cherished the moment. Every moment I had with Daryl….was precious to me. For in this world I knew not how many more I would get. So every chance I had I took. As we separated I smiled and then frowned.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

I pulled his shirt down a little. My eyes widened in horror. Scars littered his chest. Big and small all of them more visible now that I looked closely. What he did next shocked me. He literally pushed me back and scowled at me.

"Daryl what…."

"Ain't none a yer damn business!" He snapped.

I was confused. Why was he speaking in this way? I stretched my hand towards him but he backed off.

"Don't touch me." He said.

I looked down.

"Why do you hide from me? Have you not learned I shall never judge you? That I will always be by your side?" I asked.

He said nothing and I looked up.

"I need not know where you received them. I wish that I could make them disappear."

"Ye can't! And know they're ugly and I can't make em go away." He snarled.

I set my face. I strode forward and grabbed his arm.

"You are NOT ugly! You are not a beast though you may act like one at times. Everyone has scars. Even I have them. Though most came from falling from trees when I was small or from sword fighting with my sisters. I may not be able to make them go away….but if you wish I can pretend I never saw them." I said.

He nodded and I released his arm. He looked at me with sad eyes.

"I didn't mean te shove ya." He said.

I smiled and then pushed him. He looked at me.

"The hell?"

"You can say we are even now." I laughed.

"Yer gonna pay fer that."

I tried to run but he grabbed me and we fell onto the couch. I shrieked with laughter and he covered my mouth with his hand.

"Shhh! Yer too loud! Gonna wake the whole damn house." He hissed.

I calmed down and he removed his hand. I shifted myself so I was lying across him. The couch was too small.

"They will probably be in there for a while." I said.

"Yeah."

I yawned and nuzzled my head against his chest.

"Sleep. I'll wake ya up when they come out." He said.

"Don't fall asleep." I said.

"I ain't gonna make no promises." He said.

I laughed lightly and then fell off into a deep sleep.