million dollar man | twd

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꧁꧂

Vanessa woke up in the quarantine area, her body feeling heavy and weak. Every breath she took felt like it was being pulled through a narrow, painful channel. The room was dimly lit, and the sounds of other sick individuals echoed softly around her. Her head throbbed as she tried to sit up, but the effort was too much. She collapsed back onto the cot, tears welling up in her eyes.

Her thoughts spiraled as she lay there, feeling the weight of her illness pressing down on her. She thought about Daryl and about Rick, and how much he had already lost. She thought about Carl, Judith, and the rest of their makeshift family. The thought of leaving them behind was unbearable.

The tears began to flow freely, her body shaking with silent sobs. She tried to muffle the sound, not wanting to draw attention, but it was impossible. She was scared. More scared than she had ever been. The sickness felt like a death sentence, and she couldn't shake the feeling that her time was running out.

Hershel, making his rounds to check on the patients, noticed Vanessa's distress. He moved quietly to her side, his eyes filled with compassion. He sat down on a stool beside her cot, reaching out to gently take her hand.

"Vanessa," he said softly, his voice a soothing balm. "It's alright to be scared."

Vanessa turned her head to look at him, her vision blurred by tears. "I don't want to die, Hershel," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I don't want to leave everyone behind."

Hershel squeezed her hand gently, his own eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You're not alone, Vanessa. We're all here with you, fighting alongside you. You have to hold on to that hope."

She shook her head weakly, the tears continuing to fall. "It just hurts so much. And I keep thinking about Daryl, and Rick, and... everyone. I don't want to cause them more pain."

Hershel leaned closer, his expression earnest. "You've brought so much light to this group, Vanessa. Your strength, your spirit... it's what's kept so many of us going. Daryl, Rick, all of us—we're not giving up on you. And you can't give up on yourself."

Vanessa sniffled, trying to steady her breathing. "But what if... what if it's not enough?"

Hershel's grip on her hand tightened, his voice firm yet gentle. "We take it one day at a time. One moment at a time. You focus on fighting, on staying strong. And we'll do everything we can to get you through this."

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Rick stood on the other side of the glass window, his face a mixture of worry and determination. Vanessa, stood on the other side, looked pale and exhausted. When she saw him, a weak smile tugged at her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Hey, Rick," she said, her voice raspy and tired.

"Hey, V," he replied, his voice softer than usual, filled with the weight of his concern.