Robin Hood (Sequel To Hiraeth- TWD)

Chapter 17

The rain was starting to let up when Daryl and Beth had dragged Cailey back to the car. Friar was following quickly, whining as he circled the people. Daryl grunted as he moved Cailey's right arm from around him. "Open the door," he muttered to Beth.

The blonde girl yanked open the backseat of the blue van. Daryl sighed and breathed heavily as he fit Cailey inside, who was barely even conscious. Her eyes were rolling up in the back of her head, and her breathing was getting more uneven and shallow. Daryl had blood covering his hands and shirt, but not as much as Cailey herself.

"She gon' bleed out, we don't hurry." Daryl climbed into the backseat with her, pulling off his dark jean jacket.

Daryl lifted Cailey's body up again. She whimpered in pain, but relaxed again. Daryl tied his jacket tightly around her sides, over Beth's blood-dripping sweater. "Stay with 'er," he instructed Beth a little too loudly.

Daryl climbed out of the backseat, and jumped right into the front seat. Beth sat on the edge of the backseat, slapping the floor to invite Friar up. The dog lept up to the car, nosing his owner and whining. Beth slammed the door shut.

The car shook and roared as Daryl spun out of the ditch. His hands were shaking as he floored the gas. The car boomed, and he went speeding down the highway.

Beth held her hands tightly over Cailey's covered bleeding sides. Daryl's jacket was already feeling damp with blood. The two bullet wounds in Cailey's side were throbbing and making her breath more shallow. Beth stared up to see the girl's eyes rolling up into her head more and her jaw slack.

"Daryl," Beth shouted, "She's bleeding out!"

"Keep 'er up," Daryl whipped around a corner. The car nearly tilted on its side. "Goin' fast as I can."

Friar was licking Cailey's face and whining louder. She was still only coming in and out of consciousness. Beth pressed down as hard as she could to stop the bleeding, but she knew there was only so much she could do.

The car was bumping and bouncing as Daryl ran over dead bodies. He came inches from hitting another car. The hunter gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles were white, shoving his foot on the gas like a brick.

Daryl managed to cut down the hour-long slow drive to a half hour. Cailey was no longer whimpering or squirming in pain, and Beth knew that was a bad thing. The car jumped and shook even more as they drove down the dirt road to the prison. As soon as Daryl saw the edge of a fence, he started laying on the horn. The beeping echoed and rang out loudly, grabbing the attention of everyone.

Carol heard the car horn from the gate, and was already sliding it open. She tried to wave at Daryl, but frowned when he only sped through the field. She slammed the gate shut and followed.

Carl and Rick were at the gate to the courtyard by the time the blue van rolled up. Daryl was still honking the horn. He barely even had the car stopped when he pulled it into park. The minivan lurched forward, and Daryl almost literally jumped out.

"What's goin' on?" Rick shouted at Daryl. He ran up to his friend, one hand over his gun holster.

"She been shot." Daryl's voice was loud and sharp. He flung the backseat door open, reaching inside.

Beth hopped out, bringing Friar with her. The dog circled around, whining and barking. A few other people were starting to surround the minivan to watch. Daryl held Cailey in his arms like a baby, cradling her as he pulled her out quickly. Her head was limp, and the bandanna from her forehead was falling down her neck. Blood was soaking through the jacket Daryl had tried around her.

"Get 'er inside," Rick shouted. He bolted to the prison doors, whipping them open.

Daryl made a beeline inside and down the hallway. He hadn't run so fast in his life since the apocalyptic turn. Cailey was bobbing up and down like a ragdoll in his arms.

"Hershel," Rick shouted from behind Daryl. He ran in circles in the cell block as he searched for the old man. "Hershel!"

"Rick," the veterinarian echoed as he hobbled out. He took one look at the bleeding Cailey, and his eyes went wide. "Get 'er down on a bed, now! How long's she been bleeding like that?"

Hershel pushed Daryl into an empty cell. The hunter lied Cailey on the thin mattress, his shirt sticking to him with the wet blood that had stuck to him. "Pro'lly an hour," the man nodded, his voice airy and breathless. "Couldn't do much tah stop the bleedin'."

"I need bandages," Hershel pointed to Rick. "Bandages. Diuretics, her blood pressure is too high for being out. Get it, now."

Hershel stumbled as he sat next to Cailey on the bed. He pulled off the jacket and sweater around her, his hands already stained red. He held his hands down on the dark bullet wounds in Cailey's side.

Rick came back with a little brown duffel bag. He threw it on the bed next to Hershel, nodding. Sweat was dripping down his forehead, and he was trying to slow his breathing. Hershel dug around the bag, spilling half the contents on the sheets.

"Out," the vet called. "Out, all of you! I need space and light. Out!"

Rick turned and left the cell, running back to the dining hall. Daryl hesitated, watching Cailey on the bed.

"Daryl," Hershel called more gently, "Out. Find Beth and that dog of Cailey's, watch over them. I promise I'll take care of her."

Daryl hesitated again. He stared at the young bleeding teenager, then nodded his head. The hunter chewed on his lip as he spun out, and he left the cell block. The hunter wiped his sweaty hands on his jeans, letting out a heavy sigh through his nose. He saw Beth sat in the cell block dining hall, petting Friar- who sat on the floor near the girl.

Daryl pat Friar's head as he passed by. Beth stared up, calling to Daryl. "How's she doin'?"

"Dunno yet," the hunter mumbled as he continued walking out of the cell block.

"Daryl," Beth tried to get the man back. "Daryl, where you going?"

"Fer' a smoke."