My Damaged Protector

Chapter Thirty-One ~ Too Far Gone

When I finally woke the next morning, I had a slight headache and was alone in my cell. I quickly changed into normal day clothes and headed out of my cell and down the stairs. Beth was pacing the cell block, bouncing Judith and smiling at the baby. "Thank you for watching her." I told Beth, waving to Judith.

"Anything for her." Beth bounced the baby and walked into her cell. The cell block was fairly quiet, so when I got outside, the noise seemed to be much louder than it was. I caught sight of Merle and Jasper sitting at one of the many tables outside and went towards them when Maggie called for me.

"Thank you." She engulfed me in a tight hug, barely giving me time to face her. "Thank you for going on that run. You guys saved Glenn." Maggie stepped back, holding out a small grey box. "I found this on a run a while ago and never really knew when to give it to you, but right now seems like as good a time as any." I gave her an odd look and slowly took the box, opening it to reveal a silver necklace with two little charms. One read sister and the other read mother is beautiful cursive. "It's for your role with Judith." She explained the mother charm.

"Maggie, I...thank you." It was my turn to pull her into a hug, my hand holding tightly to the charms.

She pulled back with a smile. "Your little brother has been dying to see you, so I won't keep you any longer. Thanks again."

I gave her a soft smile before going back towards Jasper and Merle. "Hey boys." I smiled brightly.

"Skye!" Jaspers voice cracked as he yelled my name. His skin was no longer a sickly pale color and he was actually running at me as quickly as he could. I caught him up in my arms, hugging the boy tightly while clutching onto the chain of the necklace.

"Hi buddy. I can see you're feeling much better." He stood back on his feet and I pressed my hand to his head, feeling for a fever that he was finally able to break. "Were you good for Glenn and Merle?"

"Yes." Jasper nodded, smile covering his face as we sat beside Merle.

"Good. You feeling better too?" He nodded again. "Good." Merle rested his hand on my shoulder and squeezed gently.

"You doin' alright?" Merle asked.

"Yeah, better knowing he's awake." I tickled Jasper's side making him laugh. "What about you?"

"Fine, need ta get out of this place, maybe go huntin' with Daryl soon." I nodded along with him as Jasper pulled at a string at the end of my jacket.

"I'm sure he would love to go. I'll kick him out for the day with you." I laughed and a smirk appeared on his face. "Thank you again for watching him. It means so much to me. Oh, can you put this on for me?" I handed him the necklace.

"Yup." He popped the 'p' and took the new jewelry out. The cold metal was placed on my skin and clasped close.

"I'm gonna go put Jasper in my cell to rest a little and see Judy. You good?" He nodded and I went inside. Jasper's head gently rested against my collarbone as I waved Merle off. I heaved him up on my hip and headed back inside to have Jasper rest more. "I want you to get some more sleep, ok? You're just now getting better." My fingers brushed the curls out of his eyes as he snuggled down into the blankets. "I love you bud, and I'm so glad you're feeling better." I had just barely stood when the entire building shook with a loud explosion.

Jasper sat bolt upright in the bed. "What was that?"

I was quick to look around, checking that the walls and windows were holding. "Everything is fine. I want you to get downstairs in Carl's cell and sit with Judy, ok?" He nodded and I pulled him from the bad, moving downstairs and sitting him on Carl's bed, handing Judith over to him. "I'm just gonna see what's going on, ok?"