The Rocking Dead II

Chapter 11: Turn for the Worse

Axl's POV: Joan gained some of my trust back out there. The moment she punched Negan she abandoned him for good. At least in my mind. When she started shooting at him when we did, she basically said she wants him dead too. Could it all be an act? It's possible. But I actually doubt it, don't know why. Tom was grunting in pain in the backseat. Joan kept an eye on him as he laid on her lap, grabbing his shoulder.

"Joan." Blackie broke the semi-silence.

"Yeah?" She asked.

"Why'd you do that?" He asked.

"I assume you're referring to me punching Negan." She replied, "And the answer is I'm officially done with him. Tom explained everything that happened because of him. Including a kid dying, and Negan not stopping after that. I was trying to figure out what to do, but when you said everything that's happened to your kid and he blew it off and blamed you, I snapped. That was it for me. When a child gets involved in this, especially if ones dies, I'm done with whoever caused it."

"Th-thanks." Tom said to her.

"I'll get out of your hair when you get back to Alexandria. Grab my shit and go." She replied, looking down at Tom.

"No, after that, you're staying." Blackie interjected.

"No, I get you guys don't trust me, and you have every reason not to. Especially after all I did." Joan said, "I'll leave. It's nothing."

"It's ok." Tom said, "You can stay." I saw Joan smiling at him through the rear view mirror. Her tough exterior is all an act.

"Thank you." She gently said to Tom. After a while, things got quiet again. Too quiet.

"Tom? Tom." Joan said, shaking Tom. Blackie turned to look and I looked in the mirror. Tom was out cold.

"Shit! Step on it!" Blackie said, nervous. I did as he asked. Tom clearly passed out from blood loss. If we don't get him back to Alexandria soon, he'll be dead.

•

Bret's POV: "Why is Axl speeding up?" Jon asked.

"Something's wrong, I just— I feel it." I said, unable to explain what I was thinking.

"You don't think—" Gene said, trailing off.

"Can't be, they would've stopped if that happened." Nikki said, actually making sense.

"He's right." I chimed in, "If Tom died they would've stopped to shoot him so he wouldn't turn. But something tells me he's only hanging on by a thread." I hit the gas, trying to keep up with Axl.

•

Joan's POV: It's been a long time since I've been this nervous. Tom's lost way too much blood, especially for a shoulder wound. The bandana wasn't working anymore with sealing up the bullet hole, and his blood poured onto my lap, staining my denim jeans red. Tom remained motionless, no matter how much I shook him.

"God damn it. It's my fault. I'm so fucking sorry." I quietly said, trembling. Don't die Tom, please. I don't want you to die.

The moment we got to Alexandria, Blackie and Axl got Tom out and carried him to the infirmary. I started running with them, but stopped. Why am I feeling so much compassion for him? He didn't trust me and wanted me thrown out when I got here. I mean, I don't blame him at all, but still. There's got to be some underlying reason here. Why do I feel this way? Could it be— no, I can't have feelings for him. Can I?

Snap out of it Joan.

I caught back up to the guys and we went into the infirmary.

"Siddiq!" Blackie yelled. The doctor came running from another room. "He's losing blood too quickly and we can't stop it." The guys laid Tom down on the bed.

"Run and grab me the sutures and needle from the cabinet." Siddiq instructed. Axl did as he was told. "Fuck. He's lost too much blood."

"Can't you save him?" Blackie asked, getting more nervous.

"He needs a transfusion and fast. But I don't know what type blood he is." Siddiq said, starting to stitch up Tom.

"What are you saying?" Blackie asked. Siddiq was silent for a moment.

"I don't think he'll make it." He finally said. I saw all the life drain out of Blackie. Axl turned away, not wanting to show emotion. Blackie grabbed his hair.

"Fuck!" He yelled, visibly upset. I can't take this.

"Take mine." I said. Everyone looked over at me. "I'm O negative, it's universal. I can give him my blood no matter what type he is. Just do it if it means he'll live."

"Sit down." Siddiq said, running to grab a needle and blood bag. I quickly sat in the chair next to Tom, slapping my arm to get the vain to pop up in an attempt to make it easier on Siddiq. He quickly put the needle in and started drawing my blood. I grabbed Tom's hand, hoping no one was looking.

"Please pull through Tom." I whispered...