THE WALKING DEAD: AFTER HER

Chapter Two: I Wish I Would Have Been There

Nick nearly fainted, but he still made it back. The others were still playing poker.
- Oh my god! - Brian shocked. - What the fuck happened to you? - the cards fell out from Brian's hands.
- Son of a bitch. You made it. - Alvin's eyes widened.
- Later. I will tell all later, Brian. - he put Mea on the couch.
Carlos stood up to examine Nick.
- Ah - Ah. - Nick put his left hand up to stop Carlos. - Her first. - Worry about me after you took care of her.
Carlos cleaned and disinfected her wounds with Hydrogen Peroxide and carefully removed the bullet from her face.
- Damn.. That must've hurt... - Alvin crossed his arms.
Nick kept walking around in the room and biting his nails. He was nervous. In a moment or another he stopped and looked at Carlos and Mea, then continued his circles. Carlos meanwhile finished bandaging her face and arms.
- I'm soonly finished. Only her stomach is left.
- Good.. Good... - Nick sat down and kept staring at Mea.
- Holy shit... - Brian's eyes widened as he saw the deep stab in Mea's stomach.
- Sons of bitches... - Pete shook his head.
- It's a miracle she survived all of this. - Rebecca started sobbing.
- Dad.. Is.. Is she going to be okay?
Carlos hummed.
- She will.. But she will need time. They got her too good. Her strength.. Well.. It is questionable... That stab could make her negligible to walk alone.. And.. She lost too much blood.. She will be weak. Too weak...
- I don't care how weak she will be. I will take care of her. Just.. Patch her up...
- We will, too. - Rebecca put her hand on is and smiled at him, while removing her tears with her other hand.
- She is not just your family member, but ours, too. - Alvin patted his shoulder and smiled at him.
- And she is not only important for you, but for us, too. - Rebecca kissed his forehead and smiled at him again. - My son. We all really love her. And we will always look after her, you and each other. After everyone. - a tear flew through her face.
- Thank you.. Just.. Thank you.
- I keep my words that you are the best guy whom she could have chosen. - Brian kissed his head, too. - I love you, like my own son.
Nick smiled.
- Thanks, Brian.
Brian smiled, too and petted his shoulder.
- I'm done. - Carlos finished bandaging Mea's stomach.
- I'll tuck her in bed. - he wanted to lift her up, but the stab on his palm blocked him from.
- Hey, sit down, Nick. I'll carry her up. - Brian stood up and grabbed for Mea.
- She is my niece. It is my responsinbility to - Pete interrupted him.
- Rest yourself. Let me handle this. - he smiled and carried Mea upstairs into Nick and her room.
- Your turn, Nick . - said Carlos.
- That's gonna hurt like shit.
- Yes.. So get ready.. It's only going to burn just for a moment, but it will be horrible. - Carlos put some Peroxide on a cloth and cleaned Nick's wounds with it. He mourned in pain and slammed the couch with his fist.
- Wanna hold my hand?
- No. Thanks, Brian, but I can survive this. I have to.. If I want to protect your niece at any cost. - he sighed deeply.
- Son, you are strong. Stronger than you'd ever think. Don't be looking down on yourself.
- How am I going to protect you guys and my whole family later on, if I cannot protect her now?
- Nick.. - Alvin frowned. - What is going on? Something is on your mind.