A War On Her World | TWD: D. Dixon

Ch. 12

Orange light began to peak over the horizon, bringing a new sense of relief to an otherwise tense car as they pulled into the driveway of the Greene's farm.

Rick sat with his back against the door, an arm wrapped around a near unconscious Ellie to help keep her arm from moving as Glenn sped up to the house where the rest of the group were waiting anxiously. He couldn't take his eyes off of her; too afraid she'd stop breathing as soon as her eyes closed.

"C'mon Ellie, just a few more minutes. Jus' hold on for a few more minutes," Rick repeatedly whispered reassuring words into Elizabeth's ear in the hopes that they'd keep her fighting. She only managed a groan as she turned her head to rest further on his chest.

"Hold on just a bit longer. For Benji. For your son." At the mention of her son, Elizabeth half-opened her eyes and looked up into Ricks. Her vision swam and swirled making her sick.

"It hurts..." she mumbled, trailing off, not even noticing when her eyelids closed again.

Gently cupping Elizabeth's cheek, Rick lifted her head so he was staring down at her.

"Ellie stay with us! Glenn... Speed up." He ordered, shifting his gaze to the front. Out the window showed the trees, road and an approaching building; They were so close.

Daryl, Andrea, Shane and T-dog were outside already with a packed car, ready to go looking for Rick when they pulled up out front of the farmhouse. Glenn had quickly jumped out of the front seat and raced around to open the door for Rick. At that point, everyone else had gathered but nobody spoke; they all had a mournful atmosphere hanging over them. It hadn't been in the front of any group members' minds the night before but now with the return of their leader, none of them wanted the responsibility of informing him of their loss. Especially not the timid woman in the back who held onto a sad and confused little boy who just wanted his mother.

However, this mood changed as soon as the back left passenger side door opened and Rick climbed out with a beaten and bruised Elizabeth in his arms bridal style.

They were all stunned, some wondered if that was merely her corpse -others were piecing together the lies that had been strung. The small moment was broken and everyone's attention was drawn behind them when they heard one of the saddest sounds.

"MAMAA!" It was Benji. He was seen fighting against Carol's embrace, making it increasingly harder for the woman to hold onto him. He was struggling so much that Carol feared she may accidentally drop him.

It seemed like dropping him was the sure outcome but when Daryl silently walked over to Carol he seemed to have released her from her struggle. He lifted the crying boy up by his armpits and placed him against his chest, wrapping him in tight arms so the little boy didn't hurt himself. The whole thing shocked everyone, even more so when Benji hugged the rough man's neck.

Despite the unlikely action that Daryl did, not once did his expression soften. Before Rick, Glenn and Hershel pulled up his expression was neutral but after, it hardened into something of anger... or maybe something less aggressive.

Too many things were happening at once. Everyone's senses were being overloaded with information, making them much more restless than they were before. Even so, their leader held it together, he hurriedly -but carefully- made his way after Hershel who had begun ordering his people to prepare for surgery. It was clear to all that Rick was distressed by the woman's current state and that all he wanted to do was get her fixed up and healthy.

Hershel had guided Rick into the room at the front of the house, the room that Carl once resided in. He couldn't help the agitation that came with the memories of his family laying, fatally injured on the same exact bed or the idea that another will join them.