Impregnable {A Walking Dead Fanfiction}

Thirty-Two

    Hershel dismissed us after placing a large bandage over Carl's wound. He'd passed out from the pain a while ago, there was no point in all of us staying in the small room. Rick refused to leave his side. I sat back down on the couch while Shane walked over to the man who'd shot Carl, calmly asking if they could talk outside. "We haven't gotten to meet yet, I'm Beth." The young woman with blonde hair said, sitting in a chair across from me and smiling. "Let's see, you've met Daddy and Maggie..." Beth said after I'd introduced myself. "Patricia's the woman helping Daddy. She's married to Otis, the man who shot your boy." She gave me a sympathetic look before continuing. "My boyfriend, Jimmy, went to help your people find their way back. You can meet him later." "I look forward to it, and I appreciate y'all helping us," I said, forcing a smile and trying to sound as sincere as possible. "It's the least we could do," Beth said, glancing anxiously towards the bedroom. 

    Shane walked back through the screen door, Otis following closely with his tail between his legs. Shane sat beside me, taking my hand in his. I looked around, taking in our surroundings for the first time since we'd arrived. It looked like the apocalypse hadn't touched anything. There were no boards over the window, no messy stockpiles of weapons and supplies in clear sight. It almost felt like we'd stepped into another world. The bedroom door opened and Hershel stepped out, Rick stumbling behind him. "He's out of danger for now, but I need to remove those remaining fragments," Hershel said as we stood. "How? You saw how he was," Rick said. "I know, and that was the shallowest one. I need to go deeper to get the others." "Oh, man...." Rick sighed. "There's more... His belly's distended, his pressure's dropped, that means there's internal bleeding. A fragment must've nicked one of the blood vessels. I have to open him up, find the bleeder, and stitch it up. He can't move while I'm in there, I mean at all. If he reacts the same as before...I'll sever an artery and he'll be dead in minutes." My heart sank, Shane shifted uncomfortably next to me. "To even try this, I have to put him under," Hershel continued, "But if I do, he won't be able to breathe on his own...same bad results." "You need a respirator, what else?" Otis asked, crossing to him.  "The tube that goes with it, extra surgical supplies, sutures." "If you had all that, you could save him?" Rick asked. "If I had all that, I could try," Hershel responded. "Nearest hospital went up in flames a month ago. Wait...the high school." Otis said. "That's what I was thinking. They set up a FEMA shelter, they'd have everything we need." Hershel replied. "The place was overrun the last time I saw it, you couldn't get near it. Maybe it's better now." Otis said, pacing around anxiously. "Alright, Doc, why don't ya write me a list and draw me a map." Shane sighed. Panic surged through me as I walked over and picked up my bag, preparing for the unknown. "You won't need a map...I'll take you there. Ain't but five miles." Otis replied. "Honey, no! You can't go out there," Patricia cried out from the doorway, wiping blood off her hands. "Honey, we don't have time for guesswork and I am responsible. I'm not gonna sit here while he goes out there alone. I'll be alright."  "Are you sure about that?" Shane asked. "Do you even know what any of the stuff he's talking about looks like?" Otis asked, stepping towards Shane. "Well...no." "I've been a volunteer EMT, I do. We can talk about this 'til next Sunday or we can just go do it real quick." "I'll take real quick," Shane said, swinging his bag over his shoulder. "Thank you." Rick breathed. "Don't thank me yet, wait 'til that boy is up and around and we'll talk. I'll go gather some things." Otis said, walking down the hall. 

    "I'm coming with you," I said, following Shane outside. "Hollie, no." He said, throwing his bag into the back of an old blue Ford truck. "What do you mean, no? I can't just let you drive off with a stranger into who knows what. I can have your back." I said, following close behind him. He turned and grabbed my arm sternly. "Hollie, I'm going to talk and you're going to listen. You can not do this in front of Rick. He's not going to let me go if he sees you like this." He whispered, his eyes dark and serious. "Shane..." I breathed, a lump forming in my throat. "I have to go...and I have to go now. I need you to trust me. I need you to stay here and take care of Rick, he needs you." He said, his voice stern. Panic surged through me, the air felt like it had been replaced with fire. "Okay," I said, stepping to the side and trying to calm my racing heart. 

    I stayed by the truck as Shane went back inside to gather supplies, feeling my world collapsing around me. So much had happened since we left that I'd barely thought about Mable. If she was confused or scared that I wasn't back yet. What did the rest of the group think when they heard the gunshot? Has Jimmy even gotten to them yet? I took in a labored, shaky breath, beginning to feel faint. I leaned back against the truck and squeezed my eyes closed, struggling to regain my composure. The screen door swung open again and Otis walked out, carrying two large empty-looking duffel bags. Patricia held the door open for the others before rushing to him, tears streaming down her face. Otis placed the bag in the back of the truck before turning and hugging Patricia. "I will see you later," Shane said, walking over and holding me tight. "I love you." He said, kissing my forehead. "I love you, too. I'll see you later." I said, putting on my best brave face and kissing him, knowing it might be the last time I had the chance.