Amber Grimes

Nineteen

I held Maggie's hand tight as I watched Hershel and Patricia prepare the equivalent and themselves. " Look at me," Maggie spoke up, turning my head to look at her with tears in my eyes as I shook with fear. " Everything is going to be fine, I'm going to be beside you, holding your hand the whole time. I will look after you while you're asleep and I'll look after you while you recover.".

" Amber, are you ready?" Hershel asked, putting on his gloves. " Is there any way you could tell my parents about what's happening right now?". I asked softly, my voice cracking. " I can go looking for them.". Jimmy spoke up, " No, son, I'm not sending you out there when we have no idea where they are. I'm sorry, Amber, but your parents won't find out until they get back.". I nodded my head. " Okay. I'm ready.". Patricia gently held the mask over my mouth and nose. " Count backwards from ten, and realx. We'll take care of you.".

I took in deep breaths, counting backwards from ten when I felt myself going under. My vision was getting blurry. It felt like my breathing was getting slower, and my eyelids felt so heavy. " Another few deep breaths, Amber.". I heard Hershels voice, and with another breath, I was out.

~~~~~~~~

" Why the hell didn't someone come and tell us?!" ," We didn't know where you were. You had taken the map with you, and everyone who knew where you were going to search was with you.". " You could have sent that boy to tell us!"." Jimmy is a child, I wasn't sending him out to the forest to die! Amber was in pain, I had to do the operation or her life, and the child's life was at risk! I did what I did to save your little girl Rick!.".

" Dad?" I called out, letting out a small cry as I tried to move. My eyes opened slowly. Dad, Hershel, mom, and Shane were all running into the room. " Amber, darling." Shane rushed to my side and grabbed my hand. " Darling, what happened?" Shane asked in a panic. " I had a pain in my side." I gave him a small smile. " I had a tear in the sack our baby is in."

Everyone turned to Hershel, " She could have died. She's had these pains since dinner last night and told nobody because she's scared of everyone being upset at her. Apparently, a lot of people in your group have been giving her a hard time. I'd fix that, Rick, before it takes your daughter." Dad turned to me,I could see the stress and guilt on his face.

" I should have been here. I should have made sure you were okay.". " It's okay, Dad.". " No, no, it's not. I haven't been a good father to you, Amber. I've been freaking out about this pregnancy, and I neglected you. I'm so sorry.". Dad cried, pulling me into a gentle hug. " I could have lost you today, and I would never have forgiven myself.". " Everyone out, I gave Amber a blood transfusion a few minutes ago. She needs her rest.".

" I ain't leaving," Shane spat, his large fingers running through my hair gently. I turned to Shane with a small smile." You need to eat and rest. You've been looking for Sophia all day.". " I don't care, I'm gonna look after you, darling.". " I'm tired.". " You go back to sleep. When you wake up, I'll get you something to eat.". I nodded my head before closing my eyes.

SHANES POV

As soon as Amber closed her eyes, we all left the room, quietly closing the door behind us. " She looks awful. She looks so pale and weak.". " She went through a difficult operation. Her body needs to recover.". " What exactly happened, doc?" I asked, glaring at Hershel. " She was complaining about pains, Beth informed me she's had them since before dinner yesterday. Amber pushed through the night, through breakfast, and through chores before she couldn't take the pain anymore. I exaimed her and found the sack that is protecting your baby was torn. I put her under, and I stitched the tear up. It will take Amber a few days to recover, but her life and the baby's life are no longer at risk. So you're welcome.". Hershel spat at me.

" Thank you, Hershel." Rick spoke up." Lorri cried. " You've helped both of our children.How can we ever repay you?". " Once you find this child, you and your group will leave. You've caused enough trouble on my land.". " Hershel, please, we have nowhere else to go.". Lorri begged, " That isn't my problem. My family and I have wasted our resources on you. I have been a generous host, but enough is enough. Once you find that little girl, I want you all gone.".

I glared at Hershel as he stared at me. " I will help Amber recover. I'll continue to give her blood transfusions every few hours, and she can stay in the house until she's better.". " Thank you, Hershel.". "Talk to your group, Rick. Their foolishness almost cost you your daughter today.". Hershel spat before he walked away.

" So what are we gonna do?" I asked Rick. " First, we're gonna have a group meeting and sort out these issues before Amber recovers. Then, we'll figure out a plan to look for Sophia.". " Where are we gonna go, Rick? Amber is pregnant, we can't risk running around, hiding in abandoned buildings, and not having food.". " I'll sort it out with Hershel, but not now. He's pissed at our group, I'm not going to anger him anymore right now.".

AMBERS POV

I stirred awake, my eyes glancing over the room. " You're awake.". I slowly turned my head to the door, Shane smiling at me. " Shane," I smiled as he sat beside me. " How you feeling darling?". " Weak," I mumbled. " You look a little weak, but Hershel is giving you blood transfusions and pain medication. You'll be right as rain in a few days.". " Do I have a scar?". " You do, but it isn't too big. Hershel did a good job.".

" How was the search? Did you find Sophia?". " No, but we think we're getting close.". " Good, she must be so scared.". " We'll find her soon. We won't stop looking until we do.". " You look stressed.". Shane smirked, looking at me. " The love of my life's bed ridden, our baby nearly died. How can I not be stressed?". " Hershel said we were fine.". " You trust him?". " Of course I do. He's done so much for our group. We owe him so much.".

" The only reason we're here is because his man shot Carl.". " And Ottis Paid with his life. Hershel and Ottis have more than paid that debt.". Shane nodded, staring at the floor, his leg bouncing. " What's going on?" I asked." Hershel wants us gone when we find Sophia. He's kicking us out.". " Fuck." " That's exactly what I'm thinking." Shane huffed. " Well, it is his land. If he wants us gone, we can't argue.". " What's wrong with you?". Shane spat " You're pregnant with our baby. You think I'm going to let this old fool kick us from his farm and risk you and our baby out there? No way.". " Shane, Hershel has done more than enough for our group.". " I'm not letting anything happen to you, Amber. You need a safe place to grow and birth our kid. I'm not letting you be put in danger. I'll fix it.". Shane snapped before storming out.