The Mini Badass

Chapter 27

Moments after we bought her inside the fence line, the woman passes out. I kneel down next to her finding the source of some of the blood on her.

"Gunshot." I tell Rick who huffs, throwing the woman over his shoulder.

Our group rushes back inside, Hershel carrying the basket of formula while Carl and I try to help Rick carry the woman. 

"Blanket." Rick tells me, pointing towards the neatly folded cloth. I quickly grab it, going to walk into the cell block but Rick stops me. "She's not coming in the cell block."

I don't argue and lay down the blanket in the main room and Rick gently lowers the woman down.

I kneel down beside Rick, as the woman fades in and out of consciousness. "Hey, hey. It's alright." I whisper to her as she starts to hyperventilate.  

Her eyes go wide, focusing on something behind me. She goes to reach for a sword but Carl kicks it away. "Hey, stop, we're not gonna hurt you." I tell her, grabbing onto her arms.

"Rick." Daryl says, coming out of the cell block. "Who the hell is this?" He asks, coming up behind Rick and I. 

"What's your name?" I ask as the woman slowly sits up, staring at me the whole time. "I'm-"

"Y'all come on in here." Daryl cuts me off, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Everything alright?" Rick asks, standing up. "You're gonna want to see this." Daryl tells him as I stand up too.

"Go in." Rick tells me, handing me the woman's sword. "We'll keep that safe for now." I hear him whisper to her as I enter the cell block.

As I venture further into the room a head peeks out from one of the cells. "Oh my God, Carol." I exclaim before quickly hugging the woman, dropping the sword and catching her off guard. "Shit, sorry." I mutter helping her steady herself.

I pull back, holding onto Carol's elbows as the rest of the group joins us. Rick hugs her next, then Hershel who asks how she's still alive.

"Solitary." Carol tells him, letting her arms drop from Hershel's shoulders. "Poor thing fought her way into a cell." Daryl explains while leaning on the cell wall. "Must've passed out, dehydrated." 

Beth comes up behind me, our new member cradled in her arms. Carols eyes focus on the babe, then every emotion flashes behind them in mere seconds. The pale woman looks to Rick who gives her a sad nod, lowering his head.

Carol places a hand on Rick's chest, tears filling both of their eyes as do mine. A sob racks through her body as she places her hands on either side of Ricks face. "I'm so sorry." She whispers to him.

They both turn away from each other, trying to contain their emotions. I glance over at Carl who's starring at the ground. I walk over to him a tear falling down my check as I pull him into a side hug.

Beth and Carol huddle together, admiring the newborn. I back away from Carl, grabbing onto his hand.

Once everyone calms down Rick takes Daryl and Hershel into the main room where the woman is now awake.

I go to follow but Rick turns to me, putting a hand on my shoulder. "You stay back." He tells me and I shake my head, going to respond but Rick whips around and walks out, leaving Hershel and Daryl trailing behind him.

I huff, leaving Carl's side to plant myself beside the cell door separating the two rooms. "We can tend to that wound for you." I hear Rick tell her.

"Give you a little food and water, and then send you on your way." Rick says and I roll my eyes, placing my head against the wall. "But you're gonna have to tell us how you found us and why you were carrying formula."