Struggles In The Dark (A Carl Grimes Fanfiction)

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Luke's P.O.V
"Did you do it?" Denise asks.

"Yeah, he's gone now," Rick answers.

"Rosita is gonna be crushed, Eugene too," Denise says quietly.

"Not if they're dead," I chime in.

They both stare at me, not sure how to respond.

"What?" You saw what it's like out there. I'd be surprised if anyone made it to safety. The walkers are everywhere. It's just a matter of time before they get to us too," I say emotionless.

"They made it. At least my group did. We're strong," Rick says.

"Abraham," I say.

"Don't be so negative. Try looking on the bright side for a change," Denise says.

"Bright side? What bright side? Ron shot Carl in the eye! The walls are down! The walkers are inside Alexandria! We're exposed!"

"Luke, that's not what I meant. I meant even though things look bad - "

"Shut up, Denise. Just stop talking," I say cutting her off.

I walk out of the kitchen and into Carl's room. I hear Rick tell Denise to ignore the way I just acted. He said I'm just scared. And you know what, maybe I am. I haven't got a chance to be scared and cope over what has happened. I've been on the go nonstop.

"Carl, you need to wake up now. Please," I whisper desperately.

Beep....Beep....Beep....Beep...Beep..Beep..Beep, Beep, Beep.

Then machine quickens and quickens with each beep.

"Denise! Carl's crashing!" I yell frantically.

Rick and Denise are running through the door within seconds after I yelled.

"What happened?!" Rick yells.

"I don't know! He just started to crash!" I yelled back.

"Denise, do something! Please!" Rick says urgently.

"There's nothing I can do... I don't have the equipment!" She explains.

"Denise, please! Do anything!" I push.

"I need to do an MRI or a CT scan on him. But we don't have that luxury! This is basically a big guessing game with him!"

"Then make your best goddamn guess!" Rick pleas.

"Um... Okay, it could be his brain swelling. Or maybe a brain bleed. But being that he's alive, the bullet couldn't have hit the brain."

"What about just a little nick to the brain?" I ask.

"Possibly. It could have nicked the temporal artery. But if that had happened, he'd have bled out through his eye socket by now. My best guess is his brain is swelling."

"Shit! Denise! He's seizing!" I yell.

"How do we treat this?" Rick asks anxiously.

"Burr holes, do you have a drill?" I ask.

"No, but Pete did.. Wait! Yes, I do! I took his after he died! Rick, first bedroom up the stairs to the left. In the closet. I hid it in case anyone tired to take it back."

Rick was already half way up the stairs before she could finish her sentence.

"How did you know to do burr holes?" Denise asks.

"Not the time, Denise. Carl's dying." I say ripping the sheet off of him.

"We should get the sheet off of him, just in case. We don't want anything to interfering with us," I explain.

"Good idea."

Rick returns with the drill.

"Okay, Luke, keep his head very still. Rick, leave the room. You don't need to see this," Denise instructs.

Rick is resistant at first, but soon leaves when he sees how serious she must be.

"Be extremely quiet, there should be a quiet popping sound. That'll let me know to stop drilling."

She gives me an unsure look, then starts drilling. It's very unsettling to watch. Once she made the last hole, the machines quieted. Not beeping at all. I took my hands off of Carl's head and backed up a little.

"Is he - "

Beep....Beep....Beep.

I was cut off by the sound of the machine making a steady beeping sound again.

"Luke, take off your shirt. Hurry!" Denise demands.

"What?" I asked confused.

"Carl's bleeding again!" She yelled.

I can't believe I over looked that! I had been so happy that --

"Luke!" Denise yells.

I take my shirt off as fast as I can, turn it inside out, and start packing the wound. Hopefully, the inside of my shirt will be more sterile than the outside. I could've used the sheet from the bed if I hadn't thrown them on the ground. What a stupid, careless mistake. After a couple of minutes, the bleeding slowed. Soon, it finally stopped.

"Did we do it?" I ask nervously.

"We did it," Denise says reassuringly.

I felt tears start to build up in my eyes and an intense wave of relief wash over me.

"My son?"

Rick is slowly walks into the room.

"Carl's okay," Denise says smiling.

"So, will Carl live?" I ask.

"Carl will most definitely live."

Rick puts his hand behind his head and takes a deep breath. Slowly pacing back and forth, tears falling down his face. I walk over to Carl's bedside and look at him. A tear trickling down my face.

Carl Grimes will live.