A Fresh Start

Chapter 9

"Daryl has every right to be concerned about you. I'm just as concerned. If anything happened to you..." Hershel started.

"Hey if I die, I die. I'm ready to do so. If it means that you all get to live, then I know it would be worth it. I'm not sitting this one out, you hear me? Not when there's so many lives at stake ," I said.

"Don't say things like that," he said.

He had begun drawing a map to the school.

"It's true, Hershel. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you all. I love you all so much. I'm not letting this illness be the end of us," I said.

He continued drawing.

"You know, you are wise beyond your years," he said.

"Yeah. My parents thought the same thing. To be honest I think you and my dad would have gotten along pretty well," I said.

He looked up at me. I smiled at him and he smiled back.

"Is that so?" he asked.

"Yeah, you're both similar in some ways, you know," I said.

"How so?" he asked.

"Well he wasn't as old as you but he shared the same philosophy you have. About never losing hope," I replied.

He chuckled.

"You're never gonna let me live that down are you?" he said still chuckling.

"Not a chance, old man," I replied.

"I look forward to that then. Here you are. And you know that Daryl has the list of antibiotics that you'll need to get," he said handing me the map.

"All right. Thanks, Hershel. I'll see you soon. Take care all right?" I said.

He nodded.

"You too. Come back to us, please," he said.

"I'll do my best. I love you, old man," I retorted.

He chuckled.

"Love you, too," he replied.

I exited the office and headed outside.

"Amelia, don't' go. Please. I'm sorry about Tyreese but that doesn't mean you have to go on a suicide mission because of it," Rick said when I made my way to the gate.

I stopped to look him in the eye.

"Rick, I'm not doing this because of what happened with Tyreese. Understand that the look on my face I had when I found you all, that wasn't fear. That was deep concern I had for you. I love you. And I'm always going to be on your side. You know that, right?" I asked him.

He looked at me but didn't answer.

"I'm doing this because I have to. For our people. I've got to do this," I continued.

"You could get sick," he began.

"I know. But this is my decision. Okay," I said.

"You don't have to do this," Rick said.

"Actually, I do. For the people in there, suffering right now. If you were in my shoes, you'd do the exact same thing. I know it. Because that's who you are. Don't you think that's worth the risk?" I asked.

He put his hands on his hips.

"Why are you so stubborn?" he asked.

"Mom was the same way," I said.