fallen | ✓

Chapter 11: "Heal"

Still three years ago

Hazel's POV

I dropped his body on a bale of hay in the barn, gasping for air. I collapsed into one myself. Why was he so heavy? I coughed and glanced at him, watching the blood squeeze out from the bullet would like a sponge in a fist. I crawled over and picked out the bullet, grabbing a rag from my backpack and pressing it against it. He muttered a groan but I ignored it and continued, cleansing it.

His eyes shot open and he winced. I removed the rag and stared at him. He squirmed. I touched his arm. "I don't advise you to do that," I mumbled. 

"I want a hug." He grumbled. 

"Hug later. Heal now." I said, patting his shoulder. He sighed and stared at the wall. I kissed the top of his head and grabbed some bandages from my backpack. "Sit on the edge of the bale," I ordered.

"Mhm." He nodded, scooting to the end. I crawled behind him and looked at the wound, gasping. It was worse. It was oozing pus. It got infected. "Hazel?" He shifted slightly. I put my hand on my mouth. I've seen infection before but those were nothing compared to this. I gagged a bit.

"Mmmm," I mumbled back. 

"Are you alright?" His hand searched for mine. I gave a stiff nod. "It'd be best to take off your shirt and put on a fresh one after I'm done," I said. 

"If you wanted me to take off my shirt earlier you could've just asked." He grinned at me. I gasped and coughed, shaking my head and shoving him in the shoulder.

"Seriously, come on. Work with me." I growled. He laughed and grabbed the hem of his shirt, stretching it over his head. The tiny hole in the back didn't prepare me for what was underneath. It was huge. My fingers brushed against it and he winced. I gripped the bandages and let out a little sob. 

"Aren't you supposed to be used to this?" He asked quietly.

"I-It's really bad.." I sputtered. "I-I.." I covered my mouth again. Was he going to die from infection...? "Hey." He said, turning his head. "You've been brave to this point. Show me how brave you really are." He gave me a soft smile and I sniffed, rubbing my eyes.

"D-Don't die." I shook. 

"I won't.." He said, staring me down. "Promise me." I whimpered. "I promise." He smiled.

~~~

I wrapped the bandage around his torso, it instantly turning red on contact. I hesitated. Focus. I growled at myself. He is not going to die. I tucked in the end and shuffled through my bag, pulling out a small vial of liquid. It was labeled with a small piece of tape, "Disinfection". And I knew just how to get it into his system. I shuffled around some more and pulled out a needle.

"You're not afraid of needles ri-" I started. 

"Get that thing away from me." He trembled. 

"No fear of bullets but a fear of needles hmm?" I smirked, prodding his shoulder. 

"Let me get my shirt back on-" 

"Oh come here, you big baby." I grabbed his arm and stuck him. He yelped pulling. I pushed down on the plunger and the deed was done. The disinfection liquid was in his system. I pulled the needle out and put it back in my bag.

I could feel his stare burning through my head. I turned. "You're welcome." I half hissed. He sat there silently, clutching his arm. 

"I don't like you." He said in a childish tone, sticking out his tongue. 

"Love you too." I laughed, giving a dismissing wave. I put the bottle back and was suddenly tackled. I spun around as he pinned me to the ground. I gave him my signature stink eye. "You're still wounded." I poked my tongue at him. 

"Do I look like I care?" He stared down at me. 

"Not really, but if you pass out don't come crying to me." I clicked my tongue.

"Yeah, whatever. You know you love me." He grinned. I rolled my eyes. 

"The more or less you're an idiot, I do," I said sarcastically. "Go put your shirt on."

"Okay, mom." He laughed, rolling off of me, grabbing his shirt and hesitating. "Do I have to?"

"Yes," I said flatly. 

"You're such a downer." He poked my cheek. "I'm a downer because you make me one. Put your shirt on." I glared at him. "Who's goin' a make me?" He threw back. 

"My foot up your ass if you don't put the damn thing on."

"Fiery. That's how I like them." He smirked, sliding his shirt over his head. I rolled my eyes and went back to sorting my pack. He sat beside me and threw his arm around my shoulders. I continued organizing as he watched over me.

~~~

The sun slowly set and there was a bang on the door. Axe struggled to get up. "I'll look this time," I said, getting up. "Stay here." I touched his shoulder. He grumbled, sitting back down. I went up the ladder, pulling myself over, getting up and pacing to the window, looking down. There were walkers. I'm not talking one. I'm talking ten of them. There were five at the door and five in the woods. I spun back around and looked at Axe.

He looked up. "Block the door," I said. He immediately struggled, pulling himself up and grabbing the wood and my hammer, pinning the slabs to the door. "Who's there?" He called up. "Walkers," I said, jumping down.

"Shit.." He grumbled. "Why now?" He kicked a nail into place. 

"Tsk." I tutted. "That's what hammers are for," I said with warning eyes. "Next you'll have a nail in your foot." He cringed, slamming the hammer into it. There was now more pounds and nasty groaning. I twitched, my fingers searching for a weapon.

"I only have a knife." I peeped. Axe handed me a gun. I made a choking sound as it slipped through my fingers. He glanced at me. "You alright?" He put his hand on my shoulder. I slowly nodded and coughed, picking it back up.

It felt clumsy and awkward in my hands, but I knew it would save my life.