trigger warnings: beth's self harm scene, lots of angst.
-
Alison, Lucy and William made it their priority to keep Harper comfortable. Even though there wasn't much that they could do, they took turns in sitting with her and chatting about the old times or bringing her drinks. However, they all knew that their remaining time together was limited.
Lucy pulled Ali to the hallway while William was napping beside Harper. "I think we need to be clear on where we go from here.." Lucy spoke, almost in a cut throat tone.
Alison followed her sister into the hallway and nodded "What do you mean?" She asked, trying to keep her voice down.
"Ali, please don't make this any harder than it needs to be" Her voice broke as she spoke, she didn't at all mean it in a rude or hostile state.
Ali nodded "If it.." She began, "When it happens, I know what I have to do." Alison stated, trying to believe she had it in her, knowing she probably didn't.
"No, we know what I have to do. Will won't be able to. We know that and I don't know if you will either." She spoke with a crack in her voice.
Ali looked down for a second before looking up at her sister "Are you sure?" She asked, "I would never expect you to have to do something like that" She added.
"It's my turn to protect you" She spoke and pulled her sister in for a hug, feeling as though she was going to break down in the arms of her sister.
Having already had her moment to get upset, Alison was able to be strong for Lucy this time. "I love you so much. You know that, right?" Alison said, looking at Lucy.
"I know, I love you too, a lot" She spoke as she continued to hold onto her sister, however their moment was cut short.
Lori came charging up the stairs, clearly frantic and clearly not caring that the sisters were having a moment. "Ali, we need you downstairs, now." Lori stated, to which Alison turned to look at her.
"I'm busy right now, could you just get someone else?" She replied to which Lori shook her head.
"It's Beth, she's locked herself in the bathroom. She is in a really bad state of mind. Please could you just come and help?" She pleaded.
Alison took a second, taking a deep breath and looking at her sister with a sigh. "Okay." She started before following Lori downstairs hoping to get things sorted quickly.
"Beth, honey, please open the door" Maggie was pleading at the locked bathroom door, by the looks of things Beth had locked herself inside and was threatening to harm herself.
"I'm not mad, I'm not mad, Beth" Maggie repeated.
"Hang on" Lucy stated before taking a few steps back to prepare to break the door in. After a firm kick, the door creaked as it swung open, revealing Beth inside who was clutching her wrist, tears rolling down her face.
Beth turned to Maggie, Alison, Lucy and Lori, sobbing. "I'm sorry" She whimpered, as the blood gushed from her wrist. Maggie rushed to her sister, holding her with reassurance while Alison ran to the other room to grab her medical kit, when Hershel arrived to take over and tend to his daughter.
Lucy just scoffed, almost laughing at the end at Beth's pathetic attempt, clearly it was all just for show, this girl had no idea what true stress or trauma was like.
Lucy entered the room first, Alison following closely behind.
"I thought you guys had forgotten about me" Harper joked as she saw the sisters come in, her voice was weak but she was still trying to make them laugh. Her hair was damp from the sweat, which was dripping down her forehead.
"We could never forget about you" Alison spoke with a smile. Alison crouched down on the other side and took his hand. "Whatever happens, you will always be a part of us." Ali said softly, fighting away the urge to cry in front of her.
"I'm glad you all have each other. Knowing that makes this a little easier for me" She said, voice still weak.
William turned to his sisters and offered them a weak smile "Always."
Lucy returned the same weak smile, her two fighting the overwhelming urge to cry. "Always,"
"I wish I could go outside," Harper choked. "The sky looks nice tonight, and I know mom said dinner won't be for a while so we can all go play outside" She said, looking out of the window slowly.
William had to hold back a sob "Yeah...why don't we do that.."
Alison turned to her sister and then back at her brother, equally fighting the urge not to sob. She had heard that hallucinations were part of the infection sometimes, but that didn't make it any easier. "Yeah.." Ali said softly. "Let's help you up, then we can go out" She nodded.
"I hope my mom makes something nice" She spoke, slowly as William helped her sit up by supporting her from either side.
"Her cooking is always good," William said, mustering a smile. She wanted to make sure she felt some comfort in his last moments.
"Come on, let's go, before it's dark" Lucy spoke and grabbed her hand tightly, pulling her up gently.
With Harper's dazed state she was able to muster up enough energy to make it down the stairs with the help from William, who was practically carrying her. Everyone was preoccupied with their own things, so they didn't notice the four of them heading out to the porch.
When the Swan siblings made it to the porch, William set her down on the grass in front of the house, so she could watch the sun set for the last time.
Lucy turned to her sister with a sad look "Go inside..." She spoke in a solemn tone.
Alison shook her head "I don't want to leave you" She spoke, tears finally pricking her eyes as she looked down at Harper "I don't want to leave either of you" She said, quickly bringing her hand up to wipe a tear.
"Ali please, I made a promise" Her voice broke and a single tear ran down her face.
"You shouldn't have to do this" Alison pleaded with her sister, noticing that Harper had lost consciousness.
Daryl was making his way over to see if Rick and Shane were back from their trip however instead he was met with The Swans, one of whom was laying unconscious. "Hells going on out here?" He asked, looking between them all.
"Daryl, please take Ali inside" Lucy asked him, giving him a look that told him enough.
Alison began to allow the tears to leave her eyes, as she looked down at Harper.
"Come on" Daryl spoke and stood next to Ali on the porch, gesturing to her to come with him. Daryl placed an arm around her to usher her indoors. As much as she had annoyed him, it was clear she couldn't handle what came next. He looked back at Lucy with a nod, as he almost dragged Ali inside.
Lucy and William dragged Harper to a nearby tree, wanting her last few moments to be as comfortable as possible, watching something beautiful. Once she was propped up, her eyes fluttered open for a moment, a little smile making its way onto her face. "It's beautiful," She spoke, looking out at the orange and red hues spreading across the sky.
"It is..." William spoke with a soft voice break. "You know I love you right?"
Harper looked at him, still with that smile "I do and I love you too" She gave a weak nod.
"I'm sorry if I didn't show you enough. I should've been there for you more, I should've protected you from this.." He spoke however her eyes were closed. "Harper...Harp..." He spoke and shook her. He pressed his fingers against her neck to feel for a pulse. Nothing.
Lucy went behind her brother, resting her hand on his shoulder "I got this Billy.." She spoke gently, "You shouldn't have to do this"
William stood up, slowly dropping Harper's hand from his own. There was no way he could be the one to put her down but he also wouldn't leave until it was over. "I'm staying." He said, looking down at his now deceased girlfriend.
Lucy gave him a small nod before pulling her 1911 from behind her back and raising it up, slightly shaking. She took a deep breath before squeezing the trigger.
YOU ARE READING
midnight rain | daryl dixon
Fanfic"she was sunshine, i was midnight rain . . ." the end of the world was just the beginning for some. a story in which two people who were once worlds apart become closer than they could have ever imagined.
