Preview of the second half of My sweet Lucille coming this October.
The cabin that Lucy stumbled upon belonged to Michael Weber, a car salesmen in a pervious life. Michael was in his early forties, with big basset hound brown eyes, and sandy colored hair. Twice divorced, he had no children or living family down state when everything had gone to Hell. Lucky for him, Alice Walkins, a nearby neighbor who was a nurse at St. Peter's hospital had run to his house asking about his father's cabin he still owned up state. Michael had taken Alice out to dinner a few times, including a weekend less than a year ago of really good sex up at his daddy's cabin. The two had kept things casual, and hadn't really gotten the chance to get together before everything happened.
The night that the governor announced state of emergency, Alice came to him in her jeep which was packed with as much supplies from her own home. She told him maybe they outta hold up a his cabin until things blew over. They had been there ever since. Tonight they had gone down to the creek to fish. They had started off with more than enough supplies which they had gathered slowly over time. Sadly with lack of animal around hunting hadn't been as successful as it had once been, and Alice's Jeep were beginning to give them trouble with runs. They hadn't wanted to go very far since twice all ready it had cause them to run into more walkers than they could handle.
Both times they just barley escaped and counted themselves lucky. They were resourceful and Michael had killed in total twenty-three of these creatures. Alice, who had proved she was perfectly capable had killed her fair share, and the two of them sadly had watched three people who had joined them die, turn, and be killed. For the moment it was just the two of them and Michael figured Alice wanted into looking into traveling out of state. She had gotten maps from an old travel center by the welcome center near the old hiking path. She pointed out that if they headed towards the mountains there might be more people, including more supplies, animals, and less of these things.
They knew about the surrounding camps, and how dangerous they were. Lucky for them the cabin was pretty well hidden, and with the several rifles they had, they took turns keeping watch. So far they had been lucky, and figured since they were so set back, none of these people had stumbled upon them yet. Alice had told him one night that it was just a matter of time, and they had to start packing up and get going soon before it was too late.
Tonight they had gone fishing and planned on leaving in just a few days. They had their packs ready, and were trying to get enough food to last them. Tonight as the wind picked up they found Lucky slumped over in a heap. She was pregnant, and she was badly hurt. Before she passed out, she muttered a name. Regan? Negan? She called out asking where this person was before becoming unresponsive. Both had carefully carried her inside and laid her down on the wooden floor. Instantly Alice sprang into action. She knelt down, putting one ear to Lucy's swollen stomach. Frowning, she scanned over the woman. Michael brought over the lantern that casted dim shadows.
"What do we do?"
"She looks about full term, help me get her pants off..."
Michael bit down on his bottom lip before helping her. The girl was frozen solid and wet. Her face pale and cut. Once she was stripped from the waist down, Alice spread the girl's legs and felt. Michael, feeling more than a little uncomfortable decided to keep looking at the girl's face.
"Jesus, she's just a kid. You think she wandered from one of those camps?"
Alice didn't answer. Michael continued looking the girl over, seeing her bruises, and her arms.
"She might have some broken bones..."
He felt her stomach, not even knowing what he was doing. Sighing, he shook his head.
"Are you gonna try and take the baby out, I don't feel anything..."
Alice shook her head. "No time, I all ready see the head, she's crowning..."
Michael sat up.
"Whoa, hold up...we don't know who she is. What if she dies? We can't..."
"Michael, shut up and grab my first aid kit and my bag in the bedroom."
Michael blinked before not questioning Alice anymore, instead he sprang into action jumping up and running. Alice looked the girl over and figured it was for the best that she had passed out. Keeping her legs apart, she knew this wasn't the best way to go about it, but she was going to try and give this baby a fighting chance. She knew exactly what Michael was about to say, but she wanted to focus on delivering this baby. She hadn't had the chance to fully look over the girl, but she saw how badly she was hurt, and more than likely she wouldn't make it till dawn. If she could put to good use her medical skills one last time, maybe just maybe this wasn't all such a waste. Seconds later Michael came in, nearly dropping her bag and kit.
"Michael, lit a fire, a real good one, put the water on it."
"Don't you think..."
"Michael I need you to listen and not talk okay?"
Michael nodded and headed towards the fire before Alice snapped open her bag and kit, taking out the little supplies she had. Taking her alcohol wipes, she started to cleanse her hands the best she could before shouting for Michael to bring over three more lantern, she needed as much light possible. Checking, the bleeding was thinning, and nature was running it's course. The girl was fully dilated, and the baby was slowly coming.
Minutes after Michael returned with the hot water, and lanterns, she instructed Michael to hold the lights as she worked. Carefully, she moved the girl forward, and worked her hands in, slowly allowing the baby to slide out into her hands. Once she reached up, pressing firmly down on the girl's swollen abdomen before she fully understood that she needed her to be awake. Grabbing her smelling salts, she snapped one open and waved it underneath the girl's nose. Instantly her eyelids fluttered open as her face crumpled as she tossed her head from side to side.
"Negan?"
The girl muttered. She was burning up, and barley alert. Alice asked Michael to sit behind her and help her sit up. The girl groaned with pain as Michael sat behind her, allowing her to lean against her. Alice spread her legs.
"Darling, what's you're name?"
The girl's eyes kept closing, as she cried in pain.
"I...don't know..."
"Where did you come from? One of the camps?"
The girl shook her head.
"I..."
That's when she threw her head back against Michael's shoulder crying out. Whimpering, she tried to focus. Instead, all she kept muttering about this Negan person. Alice asked if that was her boyfriend? The girl was unable to answer. Instead she kept crying, tossing her head from side to side. Alice checked, and saw the baby was almost ready to come.
"Listen darling, I need you to look at me and push."
"NO!"
"You have to! Take a deep breath and push okay? Push honey!"
Lucy squeezed onto Michael's hand, and gritted her teeth. She was losing blood, her fever was burning up, was injured, and now in shock. Her body was fighting against her, and everything was slowly blurring together. She remembered the woods, she remembered water, she remembered her babies, and she remembered a man's face. He was older, with handsome brown eyes.
Negan...
That's all she remembered.
Negan...
It was so hard to think, so hard to breath. Instead she cried as the woman worked between her legs, only guided by the dim light thrown from the lanterns. Crying, she tried to sit up as everything below her waist felt as if it was being completely ripped apart. She never felt such horrible pain before, and at this exact moment the horrible pressure that was building was the only thing that was keeping her from passing out.
Two hours later.
"She's dying."
Alice said matter of factly. The girl had a terrible time delivering, and to much surprise she had been carrying twins. The first baby came easily after just a good fifteen minutes of pushing. It was under weight, with the cord tightly around it's neck. Alice had snipped it, before beginning CPR with her two fingers against the infant's slimy chest. It began breathing, but it was shallow and uneven. Alice discovered there was another baby, and that the girl's bleeding was getting worse. She had Michael take the first baby into the kitchen area to continue CPR. She knew any second it could stop breathing. The girl's fever was getting worse as she whimpered in pain.
Alice coaxed her that she could do this, to just keep pushing. Finally after countless pushes, screams, and cries the second baby came out. It was a heather weight and loudly screaming. Alice laughed, relieved to see at least one was healthy and snipped the cord.
"He's beautiful!"
The girl was too weak to lift her head but watched with gazed over eyes. Alice wrapped the baby tight before Michael came over and shook his head. He was holding the other infant wrapped in blankets in his arms. Alice knew it hadn't made it. Calming the other baby down, she cleaned it's face and leaned over, cradling the baby in her arms.
"It's a boy..."
The girl looked at the baby before her eyes shifted upwards where Michael was standing across the room.
"Where's my other baby?"
Alice sighed.
"He's fine...I'm going to give you something, just lay back okay?"
She stripped a syringe and sedated the girl. She knew she had to finish with her and stop the bleeding. Calling Michael over, she told him to take the baby and clean him up and get him warm. Michael frowned.
"His breathing is really light, he keeps stopping every few minutes. Is there anything we can do?"
Alice looked over the frail looking infant and sighed shaking her head.
"No...lay him down on the floor, and take him...hurry."
Michael did so, switching the babies as Alice began working. Less than a half an hour later the bleeding had stopped, the placenta had been delivered, and she had tried to stitch the girl up the best she could despite the lack of supplies and medical equipment. In her entire nursing career she had delivered a total of three babies. Once the girl was cleaned up, she had Michael pile blankets around her, making her as comfortable as possible. Her fever was still bad. Her injuries weren't horrible, but still bad. She had a few broken ones, and was suffering from exposure. She knew with the trauma of the delivery, with the delivery she more than likely wouldn't survive. She wrapped the infant up and laid him next to his mother. His breathing continued being uneven and shallow. She knew within the hour they would lose him. Michael and Alice had a long talk, both standing by the fire next to the sleeping woman. They knew in less than an hour it would be dawn, and they needed to go. There might be people looking for this girl, people with guns.
"We can't just leave her."
"There's supplies here, shelter. She's in shock, and has lost a lot of blood. I don't think the fever will break. We can make her comfortable but if we're leaving we can't afford to take her with us."
"But..."
"Michael, it's the only way."
Both looked down at the sleeping baby between them.
"What about the baby?"
"We'll take him with us."
"Take a newborn out there? We don't have supplies, milk, clothes..."
"We can get powder milk, there is plenty of formula in that general store in town. We'll hit in before dawn. He'll need it."
"What if he cries..."
"We'll be fine, we can't just leave him behind. His mother and brother will probably be dead in a few hours. We can't leave him."
Michael didn't look as sure, instead he continued looking down at the baby.
"What if her people are out looking for her, what if..."
"Michael, we gotta go. We'll make her comfortable and go, we can't stand there and argue." Both stared at each other, the sleeping baby wrapped up safely in Michael's arms.
Later...
Lucy was surrounded by blankets, a wet rag over her forehead as she shivered. She was still in shock, and the fever was getting worse. Alice had put some food, water, and supplies near her within reach. She didn't think she would have enough strength to reach them, but it was the least she could do. More than likely either infection or shock would do her in. Alice left enough drugs to keep her comfortable. Brushing her hair back, Alice sighed.
She seemed so young...
"Darling, we're going...I'm so sorry..."
The girl's purplish eyelids fluttered open.
"Negan?"
"He's coming, very soon honey..."
Michael was waiting by the door with the packs, the baby wrapped up. Alice motioned him over. Kneeling down, he held the baby wrapped up.
"We're going to keep him safe, I promise."
The girl weakly stared up. Michael leaned in, keeping the baby close to her so she could see him.
"We'll take care of him, we promise."
The girl stared up at them.
"Do you remember anything? You're name?"
She slowly and weakly shook her head.
"Okay...listen we could take the other little one. I tried everything I could but I don't think he has long, he's going fast, We could take care of him and bury him outside..."
Michael didn't look so sure and the girl laying on the floor knew it.
"Leave him with me please, I'll take care of it if I can..."
Alice nodded and shifted the other baby in her arms. The girl simply stared up before Alice bit down on her bottom lip.
"We'll take good care of him honey..."
The girl stared before nodding slowly. Her head was throbbing and she could barley keep her eyes awake.
"In...case you need this. There are just two bullets...but just in case..."
Alice laid down a small handgun just a foot or so away next to the supplies. Slowly, Michael and her stood staring down, holding the baby before turning. Lucy, who had absolutely no idea who she was, or what had happened kept drifting in and out of wherever she was. Her entire body was dumb. She was weak, and achy all over. She heard heavy footsteps, before just once she heard her baby thinly cry. After that she heard the door and silence. Lucy felt the fire crackle a few feet away as her labored breathing became slower and slower. Weakly she reached over, and touched her dying newborn son. Listening to the wind, she shut her eyes, she slept.
A few hours later...
Lucy's eyes slowly opened. She heard a noise. Dazed, still with a high fever she weakly opened her eyes and looked around. Sunlight was coming in through the cabin windows and the fire was just glowing ambers and ash. Her lower half of her body was still numb from the drugs. Her limbs throbbed, and her throat felt as if it was on fire. Slowly she looked over and saw her baby. He was dead. His skin was no longer pink, instead a terrible awful gray color. All of the veins in his tiny body looked purple.
Patches on his skin had burst blood vessels. Her baby had finally stopped breathing a few hours ago as she slept beside him awaiting her own death. Now, he had died...and returned like those things. Lucy didn't remember much. She didn't remember her name, or where she was, or even how these babies came to be. The shock, blood loss, and fever had taken care of that. She only remembered flashes. She had vague hazy memories. Some of her parents, of a birthday party when she was seven. How she first got her period when she was in the 7th grade. Of a rollercoaster and how a boy named Larry had tried to hold her hand. She remembered a trailer, and a man.
A man she kept thinking of. His handsome brown eyes, his beard, his grin... He wasn't her father, she wasn't sure who he was. He was older and his name was Negan... She remembered falling and water. She was pregnant with boys, twins. These strangers had taken her in when she was hurt and lost, and she had absolutely no idea how she even got here. All she knew was that she was dying, laying on this cabin floor with her other baby. She was dying, and she couldn't even remember her own name. She saw the baby was now dead, squirming within the blankets, it's eyes glassy and bloodshot. She stared and instantly her face crumpled. Her baby, one of her babies that she had carried inside of her had died and had returned. It squirmed, giving an inhuman cry that was high pitched and full of pain. She didn't remember barley anything, but she knew what her baby and become, and what had to be done. Weakly she hiked herself up on one elbow, tears running down her face. She felt dizzy by the fever, and could barley move at all.
Looking down at her baby she hated herself for being asleep when it had died. He should have been in his mother's arms. How could she had lost something she didn't even remembering carrying. Her heart broke as she watched it.
"Shhhh..."
She reached over the blankets next to two learners and boxes of food, there was the gun that the woman had left.
"Shhhhh, there...there...mamma's got you...shhhh..."
She said feeling the room swim around her. Picking the gun up she felt it's weight in her hand and knew she couldn't do it. Instead she saw a small knife left wth the food. Picking it up, she felt her hands shake. Whimpering, she reached over and gathered the baby in her arms. It continued to cry, now dead and staring up at her with lifeless eyes. Cradling the baby, she held it close before frowning. This poor baby never even had a chance, and somehow she felt responsible. She had done something, and now one of her babies had been taken, and the other one laid dead in her arms.
"Shhhh honey, it's all right..."
The baby felt cold to the touch. She knew it was gone. Holding him close, she felt his cold flesh squirm. She felt so confused. All she could remember clearly was collapsing in the woods. She didn't know if it was from shock, or the fever. She was so sore, and she just wanted this horrible confusion to end. Holding her dead baby, she took the knife in her free hand and rammed it into the baby's soft skull. There was a strange gurgle sound, and the baby shook for just a second before going still. Opening her eyes she stared down as she slid the blade out and instantly she began to sob. Holding the baby close to her she shook all over.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
Staring down at the handgun, she knew she was all alone. Reaching for it, she put the barrel of the gun in her mouth, still holding the dead baby in her arms. Closing her eyes, hot sticky wet tears rolled down her face. Her chest heaving she got her finger ready to press against the trigger when...
A seizure took over her. The fever had reached it's breaking point and her muscles all at once relaxed, causing her to lose her grip on the gun which fell between the blankets. She fell back, still clutching her dead infant as her eyes rolled back and she began to convulse. Her bladder let go, and she began to foam by the mouth. Her limbs twitched as her back arched and after a minute or so she collapsed and was still.
Three hours later...
A survivor, by the name of Joe walked through the woods carrying his hunting rifle. Joe was forty-four, with short black hair. He was originally from Texas when everything started, the owner of a local gas station in his small town. For months now he had been on his own, traveling from state to state, looking and searching. For what exactly? He wasn't sure. He had joined up with several people, all of which had gone their separate ways. He had been hoping to find a camp soon, find some people, and hold up for a while. Just by luck he happened upon the cabin. Raising an eyebrow, he cradled his rifle and strolled over.
"Hello!"
He raised his free hand and showed his hand was away from the trigger of his rifle.
"Hello! Is anyone there?!"
He slowly climbed the stone steps before knocking gently on the door.
"Anybody home?"
No answer. Carefully, he got the rifle ready in case any zombies were about. Gently he pushed the door open, letting in light. Instantly he saw the woman on the floor, and the dead baby.
"Jesus Christ..."
Four days later...
Lucy slowly opened her eyes. At first her vision blurred and the image of that handsome man she kept remembering vaguely flickered before her eyes. Finally her vision cleared and she saw she was staring up at the ceiling of the cabin. She was in a bed, in a different room. Opening and closing her eyes, she saw a man, slightly older sitting on the edge of her bed. He was wearing what appeared to be jeans and one of those old Western style shirts. Panic leaped into her as she snapped fully awake. The man turned and held up his hands.
"Whoa, easy...easy!" Lucy looked around completely terrified. She was wearing an over sized T-shirt, and her hair smelled clean, fresh of shampoo.
Her left arm was tightly bandaged. She felt underneath the T-shirt her waist and sides were wrapped as well. Her head was still throbbing, and she felt light headed.
"Where?"
Her throat was burning. "Here honey, drink slowly..." He brought over a glass of water and carefully tilted it towards her peeling lips. The water tasted boiled, but was pure Heaven to her throat. Taking small sips, she finally relaxed against the pillows.
"Where am I?"
"First off, my name is Joe Briggs, I'm originally from Freeport Texas. Pleased to meet you darling..."
Darling...
She remembered being called that before, even before that woman called her that delivering the babies. Babies...her babies, her poor babies... Laying there, she stared at Joe's large hand as if she had never seen one before. Slowly she shook it, feeling his firm grip.
"And you are?"
Lucy's face turned downward as she desperately tried to remember. Instead she continued staring up before she shook her head.
"I don't know..."
"You don't know?"
Lucy shook her head.
"I...woke up in the woods. I was pregnant and hurt. I was freezing...I found this cabin and a man and woman were here. I was in labor and the woman was a nurse or doctor...she delivered me. One of my babies died a few hours afterwards..."
A horrible ache throbbed in her right where her heart was. Closing her eyes, she slowly began to wheeze. Joe reached over and patted her shoulder.
"I found you guys...where is your other baby? Did they take it?"
She nodded.
"I was dying and they had to leave, they were scared I had people coming after me. They didn't say where they were going, they left me thinking I was..."
She couldn't stop, instead more tears came. Laying back she covered her face with her hands.
"Do you remember anything else before?"
"No, I keep trying but I can't remember. I tried so hard...and nothing."
"You have some sprains, but your fever broke earlier this morning. It was touch and go for a while..."
Lucy stared up confused and Joe smirked
. "I was in the military and shadowed one of our medical members. I really don't know much but tried making you comfortable. The woman left some decent supplies, mostly medication to fight the infection. My wife died of cancer five years ago...I swear on my honor as a gentlemen when I looked you over, I did so to help you. Women have been delivering babies for thousands of years on their own and you delivered twins while in shock. You're pretty bad ass honey...the woman did a wonderful job on you and if we continue pushing your fluids and keeping you off your feet you should be as good as new. I've only seen a few zombies around, I think this place is safe for the time being."
Lucy laid back and Joe sighed.
"I know it's a lot to take in, but you gotta rest. I'll bring you something to eat in a while..."
Lucy sighed loudly.
"Jesus...in the past few days I stumble upon two people with medical backgrounds? Somebody must want to keep me alive..."
"You aren't in the clear just yet, but we'll make sure you're strong enough and get back on the road, maybe we can find your people...it might come back in time. Do you remember anything?"
She shook her head.
"Just little bits..."
"The babies father?"
"I'm not sure...I just remember a man...Negan..."
Joe stared before she stared up.
"That name mean anything?"
"I don't know."
Lucy laid back, silent tears rolling down her face.
"Well, we gotta call you something...you mind darling?"
"Darling...yeah sure, I don't care..."
"I'm sorry about your baby. That was brave of you to do..."
"Somebody had to do it, might as well be his mother."
"Did you name him?"
"No..."
"I'll let you rest, if you need me call okay?"
Lucy nodded, head slightly turned, tears still running down her face.
Elsewhere...
Michael and Alice were hiking on the side of the state highway. The baby was swaddled against Alice, and currently sleeping. It had been a long journey, and very hard with a newborn, but so far they were making good time. They had fed the baby earlier, and so far he had been wonderful. Unknown to them, all ready he was the spitting image of his biological father. That's when they heard the truck. Freezing, both turned, Michael holding onto his handgun. Two men were inside, both holding assault rifles.
"Michael..."
Alice whispered, clutching into the sleeping baby against her chest. Michael nodded.
"I know..."
The truck rolled to a stop in front of them.
Back at the cabin...
It was sunset. With much help by Joe, Lucy...or as she was currently being called Darling, was able to dress into a pair of sweatpants Joe had as she helped her to the front porch. He pointed. Next to a large tree by the pathway was a grave.
"I dug it after I found you...might help to visit and know there was nothing you could have done."
Lucy bit down on her bottom lip, somehow knowing deep down inside he was wrong. Feeling her chest heave, she gripped onto the railing and stared down across at the tiny grave. The grave that held her little baby boy, a baby she couldn't even remember carrying. Tears rolling down her face she sniffled and wiped her face roughly. She shouldn't have survived. She shouldn't have.
"I'm sorry..."
She whispered softly staring at the grave. If she wasn't so sore, she would have ripped free from Joe's gentle arms and stumbled down the steps before collapsing at the grave and begging for complete forgiveness.
Negan...
The name echoed in her mind as her hands bunched into fists. A horrible rage went shooting through her as she glared, fighting through her tears. Staring, Joe waited before he looked out at the grave.
"Negan..."
"What?"
"Negan, that's my son's name...I wanna name him Negan. I don't know who that is, but...I keep thinking of it. Maybe it will come to be...until then that's the name of my son, Negan."
"Negan...sounds good. Listen, we can find your other son..."
Lucy slowly shook her head.
"No, he's with good people. He deserves better...
Clutching onto the wooden railing, she glared at the grave as the last of her tears fell from her furious eyes.
Elsewhere...
Alice and Michael laid dead on the side of the road. Both shots to the head. The truck sped off, as both men cackled. The passenger stared down at the crying newborn baby and grinned.
"Sure is cute, Vicky is just gonna love him!"
The men continued to laugh, speeding away.
Meanwhile...
Negan stood underneath his shower, hot water steaming down him. His head down, and hands pressing against the walls he slowly breathed in and out. Finally his face crumpled as he made a fist and punched the wall, splitting his knuckles. Furious, he snapped off the water, dripping wet before grabbing his walkie from the sink. Pressing the button, he waited.
"Neil come in."
"Neil here."
"We're going back out there...I'm not stopping until I find a body understand? I'll meet you outside in ten."
"Understood. Over and Out."
Negan released the button and stared at his reflection, water dripping off him, and the eyes of a madman. He would find his wife and babies, if it was the last thing he did.
To be continued this fall...