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Chapter 3 : Presenting

Being a cop was never an easy thing to do, but Rick dealt with it. But being a leader that had to make sure his pack was safe and sound? It was the hardest thing he's ever had to do in his life. It was a big, but necessary burden to carry. At times, it was hard to live with, but having his family safe was top priority.

This was one of those times. Rick's mind was a mess. He felt anger, grief, worry, and tremendous guilt. This was all his fault. He got too confident. If he knew... if he had planned better, maybe Glenn and Abraham wouldn't be in critical condition right now. Maybe they wouldn't be on the verge of death. All Rick could think about was how he failed as a leader. How he failed his pack.

Michonne tried to reassure him. She said that nobody was dead yet, and that there was still hope. Rick listened, but he was still worried. He paced outside the room Glenn and Abraham were being treated in. Rick wanted to go inside, but the doctor said that he needed space to work, and he would only let two people in. Maggie and Sasha were gifted the opportunity, being the closest to the two men. Rosita and Eugene were waiting in the lobby. Rick knew because he heard a distant argument coming from there, not to mention, he could practically taste their distress through the walls.

Rick could pick up on their smell, but just barely. Rosita was angry. She was probably the one yelling, most likely about getting revenge. Eugene was scared, but he was trying to calm Rosita down, which in turn just made her even more angry. Rosita must have directed her anger at him then, because Eugene's anguished scent only worsened. Rick could guarantee that he was crying now.

Rick knew that he should probably calm them down, but he didn't know what to say, and he doubted that his words would matter anyway. All they could do was wait. So that's what they did.

After almost an hour of tense waiting, Jesus emerges from the room. He must have sensed the impatient tension in the air because he wastes no time giving the news.

"Rick. Hey, it's ok. Everyone's alive right now. We managed to stabilize Ambraham, but he's still in critical condition. Doc stapled his head, but parts of his frontal lobe are destroyed beyond repair. Doc says he may have some permanent damage. It could affect his memory and motor skills a bit, but we won't know until he... wakes up..."

Rick is in shock from the news. He doesn't know how to feel about all this information. It wasn't good nor bad news considering just a few minutes ago, they were for sure Abraham wouldn't make it. Rick should feel relieved, but he smelled apprehension from Jesus. He could tell he was holding something back, but what? Wait... what was the last part about? Waking up... Rick's eyes widen in realization.

"He... is he in a coma?" Rick had a feeling this was the case, and Jesus confirmed it by nodding his head with sympathetic eyes.

Michonne puts a hand to her mouth, barely concealing the choked gasp that escapes her. She's in shock, and hell, Rick is too. He clenches his fists. Dammit.

Once again, he has no idea how to process the news. Yes, Abraham was alive, but at what cost? From what Jesus was saying it sounds like even if Abraham were to wake up, he would never be the same. God, what quality of life would he have?

"Look I won't sugar coat it. We hooked him up to an IV and we're preparing him for a feeding tube. We're gonna try our hardest to bring him back, but the chances of that happening are, well... they're slim, and as I was saying before, even if he does come back, he won't be the same. There will most definitely be some... lasting effects."

Rick feels ill. This is all his fault, and to think, he was once in the same position as Abraham. He feels like he's on the receiving end of a cruel joke from the world.