The Dead World

Twenty Seven ~ Saying Goodbyes

Phoebe had been helping Caleb and Hershel with the group, a few of them had been bitten and those who could, had said limbs removed. Most of them not making it as they grew weak from the sickness not being able to withstand the stress of the added amputation.

Hershel was called from cell block A, Phoebe didn't know why but she was going to have to trust the others to deal with whatever was happening out there while she helped inside the cell block.

"I'll tell you the good news, none of these wounds need stiches" Hershel cleared Rick's fists after he'd fixed the mans face.

"How is she?" Daryl asked from where he stood behind the pair they both just had a few bruises and cuts from their small fight with Tyreese after he'd found his partner Karen and friend David dead and burned. He was more worried about Phoebe and the hidden clock on her life ticking down.

"She's ok, her cough is progressing and she has the start of a fever but she's strong, she's helping Caleb now with the others" Hershel answered looking back at the hunter but they were just pretty words, Phoebes skin had taken on a deathly pale state and was slick with her sweat as her body tried to burn the sickness out of her. Her breathing was sharp as it took over her lungs and while she seemed to be dealing with it the best out of those in the cell block Hershel couldn't help but believe she was faking.

"What do we do?" Rick was desperate, more then desperate at this point, he couldn't lose anymore of his family, not Phoebe, not over a sickness. But before Hershel could answer they were interrupted by Sasha walking out of C block coughing, they went to help but she held up her hand similar to how Phoebe had hours before.

"Got to see Dr.S" she huffed short on breath, Sasha was clammy but was several shade paler then her beautiful caramel toned skin.

Phoebe heard the main cell door open with a loud squeak so she left the cell she'd be assigned "Sasha?" she frowned watching her good friend stumble in.

"We have to tell them! It's starting!" Caleb came staggering forward, he himself was sweaty and pale showcasing two dark purple circles under his eyes.

Grabbing her walkie she buzzed for Hershel and waited for him at the window, she stopped him there not allowing him to walk inside "Don't come in! It's spreading Hershel, you need to call a council meeting and..." she broke out into a body aching cough before catching her breath shakily "you need to tell them!"

"How are you?" He asked worriedly taking her in, her normal shiny curls were dull and hung limply in the ponytail she'd gathered them in, her bright eyes were dark and bloodshot adorned with deep eye bags. Her skin was a sickly grey colour making her freckles stand out in a dangerous almost haunting way but she just smiled weakily.

"I'm okay just trying to keep everyone comfortable" she answered and he left shortly after wanting to get her help quickly knowing she was going to burn herself out helping the others, he hadn't missed when asked about herself she was quick to shift the focus to the others.

"It's spread, everyone who survived the attack in cell block D, Phoebe, Sasha, Dr. S and now others" Hershel stated walking in seeing the others already there.

"So what do we do" Carol questioned.

"First things first, cell block A is isolation, we keep the sick people there like we tried with Karen and Sasha" Hershel suggested.

"The hell we gonna do about that? If Phoebe...And the others are in there what if this person tries to kill all of them?" Daryl demanded almost growling at the sickening thought of finding her charred body like Tyresse had with Karen.

"We ask Rick to look into it, try to make a time line of who was there but what are we going to do to stop this" Carol was fumbling with her hands trying not to be overwhelmed by her guilt, she'd done so to try and save the others but it was no use.