Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
chapter sixty-eight | the close call
LAUREL HELD OUT two cups of Hershel's tea to Sasha and Glenn as they hovered over Henry who they helped incubate. Hershel pumped air into his lungs, telling the two to hurry and drink the tea.
"Some council meeting, huh?" Hershel joked.
"We're a few members short," Sasha coughed. Laurel rubbed her back soothingly as she helped her take a sip of tea.
"I think we should make some new rules before they get back. I hereby declare we have spaghetti tuesday, every wednesday."
Laurel smiled, the bandana that Daryl gave her was wrapped around her head now, keeping her hair out of her face. She ditched using it as a mask when Cassie coughed in her face a few hours ago. It was a damn miracle she and Hershel haven't caught the sickness. Atleast not yet.
"First we have to find some spaghetti," Hershel teased. Sasha gave him a 'really' look.
Hershel gave Sasha the reins before turning to her and Glenn, "come help me with my rounds?"
Laurel nodded, following Hershel down the cell block with his pack of supplies. Glenn walked beside her and she made sure to slow down to stay with his pace just in case if he ended up passing out. Glenn glanced at the bruise on her temple and cheek. "Did Tyreese ever apologize?"
Laurel glanced at him before shaking her head, "I'm sure he will when he's better."
Hershel stopped at the farthest cell, using a lantern to shine the light on Alex's face. They said nothing as they spotted the dry, thick blood around his head. Trying not to think too hard about it, Laurel stepped forward, unsheathing her knife but Hershel grabbed her wrist. "No, not here."
He stepped outside the cell, grabbing a gurney. Laurel stepped out of the way as he pushed the gurney to the side of the bed. "Help me get him on this."
After doing so, Hershel placed a white sheet over the body. Laurel lead the way as they pushed the gurney with Alex on it outside of the isolation cell block.
"What are you doing?" Lizzie asked, coming up behind them.
Hershel stopped pushing, gesturing for Glenn and Laurel to keep going as he talked to the small girl. Laurel was glad he did so, she didn't know how she was going to explain what they were doing. They waited for him outside until he came back. He was quiet and tense. Laurel could tell this might be too much for the old man. Hershel pulled out his bible and Laurel pulled out her knife.
Just as he began to turn in the middle of the service, Laurel quickly struck her blade in his skull, silencing the groans. She was trying not to think too much about it.
➸
Two bodies and hours later, Laurel helped Cassie sit up in bed, adjusting a pillow behind her and bringing a sheet up to her chest. She grabbed the cup of tea up from the floor, bringing it to her lips. "Drink up."
