Amber Grimes

Twenty One

Shane kept a very close eye on me,  making sure it was known to Daryl, Glenn, and Dale that if they went near me, he would kill them.

Hershel could see how afraid I was and didn't understand why I wouldn't tell my dad, but I wasn't letting the focus be taken off of Sophia again.  When I was given the all-clear from Hershel, he told me he would be keeping an eye on me.

" Let's get you settled in our tent." Shane smiled, picking up my things. " I'll have this known now, Shane. Amber is not to have sex for at least another two weeks.". Hershel spoke up. " I thought you said she was all clear?" Shane asked. " Yes, to go back to her tent and do her normal day to day routine. Her body, her womb, wouldn't be able to take it if she continues to have sex. It could kill her and the baby. I'm telling you both now that this is a high-risk pregnancy.".

I held my stomach, my eyes wide in fear. " I'm sorry, Amber, I was going to keep an eye on you and help you, but I can't let you go without telling you the truth.". I felt the tears pricking my eyes. " So what do you recommend, Hershel?". " Honestly, I would recommend aborting the baby. It is  a danger to you if you decide to keep this baby.". " We aren't aborting the baby.". Shane spat.

Hershel sighed. " I was talking to my patient.". " This is my baby too, and I have a say in what happens.". " This pregnancy could kill Amber and the baby, then you will have no one.". Hershel spat. Shane and Hershel argued with each other. " I'll keep it!" I yelled out, making both men stop. " I'll keep my baby... I don't want to risk losing it.". " Amber, this could kill you.". " You heard what she said. She said she's going to keep the baby, stop trying to convince her to abort.".

Hershel turned to Shane with a glare. "  Fine, then these are the rules you both have to follow in order to carry this pregnancy to term. No sex and I mean it, no stress any small amount of stress, and it could be deadly for both baby and mother. No work. She isn't to lift a finger around his farm until this baby is born.". " We can follow these rules, no problem.".

Shane grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the house and into our tent, zipping it up as I sat down. " No sex, alright, it'll be hard, but I can manage. No stress is more of a you problem.". He smiled. " Shane, this isn't funny, I could die. Our baby could die and kill me.". " I won't let that happen.". Shane grabbed my face. " I won't let anything happen to either of you.".

Shane and Dad went out a bunch of times to look for Sophia over the next few days. Mom still hadn't told anyone she was pregnant, and Carl had become a bit of a brat. He cursed off Carol when she was trying to help him with something and even took a knife from someone and had it on his jeans just in case he needed it.

" Mom, this isn't okay."., " I know, but no matter what I say to the boy, he just doesn't listen.". " Maybe we should tell dad?". " Your father has let him get away with everything since he came back, I won't let my ten year old son walk around with a knife he doesn't know how to use.". She snapped, " Where is Carl?" " I don't know, he ran off again after I yelled at him.". " Mom, take a breath. It'll be okay. When everyone comes back then the four of us will sit down and talk to Carl.".

Later that day, when Dad had come home with Shane and the others, we pulled Dad and Carl into their tent and closed the tent. " What's going on?" Dad asked, confused. " Carl has been incredibly rude to Carol and others, and today I found him carrying a hunting knife in his back pockets.". Mom snapped. Dad turned to Carl in surprise. " Carol deserved it. She needs to learn to mind her own business!" Carl yelled back. " Carl! Carol is going through a tough time right now. We don't ever speak to anyone like that.". " Sophia was my friend! Nobody cares how I feel about her missing!".

" Are you acting out because you miss her?" I asked, " She was my only friend. And now she's gone when I could have protected her.". " Carl.". I sighed, pulling him into a hug. " I miss how everything was. I miss you being my sister. I miss us all being close and having fun together.". " I know, Carl, I miss it too. But think in a couple of months you're going to be an uncle.". I smiled, holding my belly.