Living with the Dead.(twd)

Nothing. (203)

KAI'S POV.

The cries of the tiny baby echo through the room making the soft, uneven beeping of the heart monitor inaudible.
I've never seen Madison look so frail. Almost as fragile as the baby, as if one touch could break her.

I can see by the way Madison's mouth quivers that the smile on her face is strained. Natural and honest, no doubt about it, but it looks like it physically pains her to smile.

"Um, Keith?" The doctor, Ava, calls me to the other side of the room.
"It's Kai."
She smiles apologetically and waves me over to stand next to her.

"What?" I ask once I'm beside her.
"She's not fooling anybody here. Her blood pressure is low, too low and her pulse is slow. You can hear it... on the monitor, I mean, kinda, that baby has a set of lungs on her."
I chuckle one humorless laugh. "She's already just as stubborn as her mom."
"Kai, we need IV's, medicine, for her and for the baby if possible. She's premature."
"I know, I know." I groan, shoving my hands into my hair and tugging, hard.

"Look Kai, I'm not gonna lie to you. I don't know how long she has."
"Well make it longer. She's special, not like the others. She's strong, she can ride this out if we can get medicine."
"Dude, she's fading away, I can literally see her cheekbones behind her skin. She looks like a skeleton."
"I'm not giving up, not yet." I mutter as I make my way back over to Madison.

She smiles at me with tears in her eyes.
"You did it Maddie." I grin, placing my hand on her shoulder, gently.
She shakes her head. "We did it."
I can't help the smile that breaks across my face.

I look down at the tiny baby, wrapped in the sheets of the bed.
Her tiny fists are wrapped around Madison's index fingers and her eyes are screwed shut. Her legs kick around as she continues to cry, but not as loudly now.

"That's a cute baby."
Mads nods in agreement. "She is, isn't she. It's not just me right? I mean I know my opinion is biased but..."
"No, she's perfect." I agree.
I can hear Madison's breathing. It's unnervingly uneven and she wheezes loudly, although she seems oblivious to it.

"Madison... are you okay?"
Madison keeps her gaze on the baby's face, ignoring my question.
I think we both know the truth...but I'm not ready to accept it.
"Kara." She croaks.
"What?"
"Her name is Kara." She whispers as the baby holds on tighter to her moms finger and clutches Madison's necklace with the other and finally, finally, she stops crying.
"Why Kara?" I ask, bewildered.
"She's ... beautiful... like the ... lilies." She wheezes.
I don't understand but I remain silent as she relishes in her joy.

Madison's head starts to fall slowly and her eyes droop.
I catch her quickly and lift her head.
"Madison?" I ask, anxious now.
Madison doesn't reply but slips her finger from her baby's grasp.
I watch as she slides something small and sparkly from her finger and puts it in my hand.
Her ring.
"Find Carl... give it... to him." She gasps with every word.

I nod and smoothen out her wild hair.
"Mads, I know about your home, but where and what is i-"
A knock on the door cuts me off and I know who it is.
I grab a blanket and throw it over Madison's exposed legs.
Madison nods and I turn to face the door.
"Come in." I grant.

Negan walks inside wearily with Lucille hanging limply by his side.
I move out of the way and watch his expression as he lays eyes on both Kara and Madison.
At first a smile breaks across his face but when he looks up to Madison his smile drops and horror covers his features, he even drops Lucille out of pure shock.

He looks to me and all I can do is shrug.
"People are out looking for medicine already." He whispers to me before turning back to Madison.
"Good job kid." He praises.
I hear Madison chuckle dryly.
"...Girl." She sighs.
Negan nods. "Can I hold her?" He asks.
She shakes her head. "I'm not ready to let go yet."
I wonder in how many ways does she mean that.