The Walking Dead Season 3

Chapter 2

I stand up as Rick and Glenn take over. Hershel's severed part of the leg is in the way, so I gingerly move it away. Daryl leads the prisoners out slowly, and one, the leader, draws a gun.

We hurry out after Glenn gets a rolling table, and we lay Hershel on it. We only slow once we realize the prisoners follow us.

Daryl unlocks the gate, staying in the main room to deal with the prisoners.

"Unlock the door!" Rick shouts as we come in. Carl flings the door open, and Carol says, "Oh my God."

We heft Hershel onto a bed, and immediately, Carol and Lori attempt to stop the bleeding. "I need bandages!" Carol says. "We used all we have." Glenn says. "Well get more! Anything!" she cries. "Carl go get the towels from the backpack next to my bed." Lori says, and Carl runs off. "Is he gonna die?" Beth asks. "No no no, he's gonna be ok." Lori says, hugging her.

"Do you think that you can stabilize him?" Rick asks. "I need to keep his leg elevated. Get some pillows!" Carol says. I grab some from the bed above Hershel and stuff them under Hershel's leg. "He's already bled trough the sheets." Maggie observes. "We could burn the wound to of the blood, I cloud start a fire." Glenn suggests. "Oh God no please don't!" Beth begs. "No, the shock could kill him. At least now we have a chance." I interject. "It won't stop the arteries from bleeding, we need to keep it dressed and left it heal on its own." Carol adds. Lori check Hershel's pulse.

Some shouting comes from the room that T Dog and the prisoners are in." What was that?" Beth asks. "The prisoners." I say, giving carol another towel. "Everybody stay put." Rick says, walking to deal with them.

Carl wraps his arms around me. Until then, I hadn't realized that I was shaking, and I lean into him.

"The bleeding has to stop eventually, right?" Carol murmurs as she trades towels with Lori. "It's slowed down quite a bit already," Lori replies. "If we can get him through this-" Carol begins. "When we get him through this." Lori interrupts. "When we get him through this, we're gonna need crutches." Carol finishes. "Right now we could use some antibiotics, painkillers." Lori adds.

Carl slips out of the room. I look back, and he's headed for the door. I turn back, digging through my pockets. "I've got half a bottle of Tylenol, but it might not help." I say, handing the bottle to
Lori. She takes out two, puts them in a cup with water, and pours some down Hershel's throat. "Thanks." She says. I nod, returning to the foot of the bed.

"You've gotta be worried sick about delivering the baby," Carol comments. "Look at me. Do I look worried?" Lori asks. "You look disgusting." Carol replies. "So do you." Lori laughs.

Lori pulls off the chest guard from Hershel. After a while, Rick and T Dog come back with a lot of food. "Foods here!" T Dog announces as Carl lets them in. "What ya got?" He asks. "Canned beans, canned corn, canned cans! There's a lot more where this came from." T replies. "Any change?" Rick asks. Lori. "The bleeding is under control and no fever. But, his breath is labored and his pulse is way down, and he hasn't opened his eyes yet." Lori says. "Take my cuffs, put 'em on him." Rick says. "I'm not taking any chances." Glenn takes them reluctantly.

I feel Hershel's forehead. Sure enough, it feels normal. The cloth at his severed leg is soaked through, so I swap them.

Rick, Daryl, and T go out to clear the cell block with the prisoners. This time, Rick makes me stay here. I don't argue.

Glenn puts the handcuffs on Hershel just when Maggie walks in. "What's going on?" she asks. "We had to." Glenn says. "It's just for caution." Carol adds. Maggie's eyes well up and she sighs. "Think that maybes could have a moment with him alone?" she asks. Glenn nods, and we all step out.

Once Maggie is done, we all come back in. We are silent, just waiting. A door creaks open, the shuts. We turn, listening as the footsteps grow closer. It's Carl, with a bag stuffed with medical stuff. "Thought you were organizing the food." Glenn says. "Even better." Carl replies, setting the bag down. "Check it out." Carol gasps, digging into it." I turn and go stand by the windows, knowing that a fight is on the way. I can hear Lori, Carl, and Beth arguing, and then Carl storms out.

A while later, I go through my pack, looking at my stuff. A change of semi-dirty clothes, some socks, some food, and a picture of me, Sage, and my parents.

I go back down to Hershel. Everyone is gathered in there. His eyes flicked, then open. He's still alive. "Daddy?" Maggie asks, leaning forward. "Daddy!" Beth exclaims. Rick undos the cuffs, and takes Hershel's hand. He gives his hand to Maggie and Beth. I smile. Lori walks out, and Rick follows.

Hershel is alive. We got food. Today was a good day.