Walking Dead: Building Your Own Hope

Chapter 13 of my Walking Dead story, enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead or its characters.

Season 3: Episode 13

Rick stopped outside the hospital room, looking inside and had to admit, he always struggled when it came to times like this. Inside the hospital room was Eliza, the wounds from her torture had been treated and were bandaged, she lay in the bed, covered up to her chest, her eyes were open, staring up at the ceiling, listless. She was clearly broken and distraught, but as much as Rick hated it, he had to do his job and stepped into the room, cautiously approaching the bed.

"Eliza…" He said softly.

Eliza started and looked down, seeing him she swallowed.

"Mr...Deputy Grimes." She said weakly.

Rick sighed, it hurt seeing her like this. He moved to the chair by the bed and sat down.

"I...I can't imagine how you must be feeling." Rick said softly.

She gave him a look and Rick shook his head.

He continued. "I know what you're thinking, I've been a deputy for years, I've met with people who have lost their family, but no...you never get used to it and unless you've experienced it yourself, you'll never know how it feels."

Eliza sniffled. "Now I know how it feels."

"I am sorry." Rick said quickly, feeling terrible.

Eliza just nodded, taking a shaky breath. "You...you have questions for me, right?"

Rick shifted uncomfortably. "Just...I need to see what you remember, I know it's not the best, but...with everything…"

"No, I understand, I...I get it." She replied. "I remember, a lot…"

She then began to explain everything she could remember about what happened.

XXXXX

Returning home Rick found Carl was seated in the living room, he was still looking shaken about last night and no doubt from what he must have overheard about the Morales family.

"Dad…" He quickly stood up.

Rick sighed and approached. "Carl, before I say anything, I need to clear some things up first."

Carl swallowed but nodded.

"First, are you alright. I know you've had a hard time lately. That horrible incident with Philip Blake...Shane, the way he was treated you and Jamie. All this with the Morales'. Then of course we find out what happened to them, and the man directly responsible."

"Directly?"

"Yes, apparently the leader of the Saviours, this...Negan you told me about. It seems he came across this particular Saviour after he had killed Jose, Miranda and Louis, got him before he could target Eliza…killed him for it, his idea of justice it seems." Rick shook his head. "But, I just need to be sure you're okay."

"Is it true...is Shane dead?" Carl asked, his voice surprisingly soft.

Rick nodded. "It's true."

Carl shook his head. "I should be horrified, shocked, but...after what he did to Jamie and I, the things he said…"

"I don't blame you." Rick replied softly. "Alright well...Eliza is alright physically, she's in the hospital and will likely be released some time in the next week, but...mentally, emotionally…"

Carl sighed. "I can only imagine. Thanks dad, I'll, I'll let the others know."

Rick nodded and headed through to the kitchen while Carl picked up his phone and quickly messaged Jamie first before going into the group chat they all shared.

XXXXX

Carl let out a soft breath as he walked alongside Jamie, their hands linked as, along with Mikey and Sophia they reached Eliza's hospital room. The others were waiting downstairs for their turn, they'd all agreed with the doctor not to overwhelm her, so it would be best to split up the visiting. Much like Rick, they found Eliza lying back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, listless. He shared a worried look with the others but they nodded, he took a moment, returned the nod, and together they entered.

"Hi Eliza." He said gently.

She lowered her gaze till she saw them and the ghost of a smile appeared on her face.

"Carl, Jamie, Sophia, Mikey...Oh, I'm so glad to see you guys." She said, slightly breathless. "I thought I'd never see any of you again."

"We're here." Mikey said gently. "The others are here too."

Sophia added. "They're downstairs, we thought it best to agree with the doctor."

"Only a few of us at a time, not to overwhelm you." Jamie confirmed. "But we're all here for you."

Eliza nodded. "That's...that's probably what I need."

She let herself relax, relieved that she was safe and amongst her friends again, but the scars of losing her family were still too fresh, thankfully, they were there to help and comfort her.

XXXXX

There was tension in the Saviours as they all stood gathered in the main room of their base. They'd dropped the ball, the Morales family was useless to them now and they hadn't got what they came for. But strangely, when Negan stepped up to address them, he was smiling.

"Well boys, despite Simon's colossal blunder...I'm pleased to say our other business ventures turned a remarkable profit, enough that they've covered the deficit we had due to Jose Morales and his treachery." Negan announced. "So, we're done, our purpose here is over, we should prepare to leave-"

"Um, boss...Something's happened." Dwight suddenly said as he hurried in. "Doing that would draw attention to us, the wrong kind."

With that he passed a note to Negan who read it and then shrugged.

"Okay, scratch that. Seems someone new has arrived in town, someone with a keen eye for us who's been a thorn in our side for a while." He remarked. "We can't leave yet boys, so disregard my previous instructions and get comfy, we'll be staying a while longer."

The men all nodded while Negan turned and considered the note, if it was true and that person had indeed arrived, things were going to get rather difficult, and interesting.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.