The One Who Didn't Die

22.1 Scars

Serena's Point of View

"Daryl." I said dragging his body closer to me. I looked behind me only to see that Jo was still unconscious. "Don't you dare die on me!" I commanded as I held his head and placed a hand on his chest. Bringing my ear to his mouth, I listened for breathing. He was taking quick, shallow breaths. "Daryl!" I shouted. He opened his eyes suddenly and took a deep breath in loudly followed by more irregular breathing.

"Serena." He said. "I'm okay, I'll be just fine." The tears started to fall from my eyes. "Don't do that. The last thing I want you to do, is cry over me, after what you've just been through." He said between breaths. "I'll be fine." I tried to believe him but I was scared and the flow of tears continued. He reached the closest hand of his up to my face and slowly wiped under my eyes. A small smiled formed on his face and then he closed his eyes. I could feel his body becoming limper in my arms.

"No." I said. "You open your eyes right now." I shook his body trying to get him back to me.

"I was just taking a moment to rest." I shook my head. I knew he could pass out as he continued to lose blood and I knew forcing him to stay awake wouldn't help him save energy but I needed to make sure he stayed with me. "I'm tired." He said.

"I know but keep talking to me." I said through the tears. Just then, four paramedics came through with two gurneys. "Hey, take him and her," I said gesticulating with my head, "I'll be alright." I directed. I quickly explained that he had been shot and was more of a priority than any of my medical needs.

I walked with them outside and when we all reached the ambulances, I saw the police cars as well three other men being apprehended by the police. An officer walked up to me when she saw me but I insisted on giving a statement and answering questions later, I needed to ride along to the hospital with Daryl.

"How much blood have I lost?" Daryl asked no one in particular as the doors of the vehicle closed.

"You don't have to worry about that now." I smiled standing over him as the paramedic did his work. I reached out to grab a hold of his hand as I sat beside him. "Remember, you are going to be fine." I wiped more tears with the back of my other hand.

"Just fine." He said softly in my direction as his eye closed again.

The ambulance came to a halt and moments later, the doors opened. The two paramedics wheeled Daryl out and I followed them into the Emergency Room entrance of the hospital. Doctors and nurses took over the gurney, taking him to a room in the ward then transferring him over onto the bed. I stood outside as they did X-Rays to see where the bullet was. "Lodged in tissue behind his heart," is what I overheard.

The team moved, taking Daryl straight to surgery to retrieve the bullet and I jogged alongside him with my hand in his. He looked like he was ready to pass out just as we reached the restricted area where I couldn't go past. I gave him a kiss on the forehead as quickly as I could without holding up the doctors who then entered the elevator in front of us. The hand that had been touching his was now on my chest. Inhale. Exhale. I closed my eyes and stood still avoiding tears I could feel coming.

"Miss Barnes." A voice said. I found out it came from a nurse when I turned away from the elevator doors. "I think you need to come with me so we can have you attended to." She said approaching me.

I was in a room in the ER with the nurse as she attended to my otherwise superficial injuries. There was bruising around my wrists, I could still feel the pain of my broken ribs and the rest of my body's bruises came to my attention, the adrenaline that masked the pain now wearing away. Compared to my friends, all my injuries really were superficial.