Worth It

Chapter 21: When the Dead come Knocking

"Slippers?" I ask Oscar as he pulls them off of a walkers feet. "What the hell you need slippers for?"

"You know, end of the day, relaxing." He explains. I watch him and a second before looking over at Carl. I hear a walker growl behind us and we turn, each of us shooting it in the head.

I let out a deep breath. "All right." I mutter, taking a cautious step forward. "Must've been in the cell at the end." Oscar says, but I ignore him, bending down over the walkers neck.

I pull the knife out, staring at the handle. "This is Chloe's knife." I murmur, confusion lacing my voice. I kept staring at her carved initials and mine on the other side. She did that to all of our weapons.

I wiped it off gently on the walkers shirt before tucking it in my pockets. 

I stabbed Chloe's knife into the ground, ignoring the bumping coming from the closet. It was weak, it couldn't get out. My forehead rested against my hand as I stared at the ground. I didn't even care that it was dulling the knife. She wouldn't be here to use it.

I let my head fall back against the wall, staring a the ceiling. My body was tense and in pain, a pain I haven't felt in who knows how long. I was angry. Angry at them for takin' her. I loved her and they fucking took her. I stab the ground with the knife again. 

I stood up, sighing angrily. I kick the door before pacing back and forth, the anger getting heavier. I put the knife in my mouth before grabbing the dead walker in front of the door and pulling it away. I walk forwards and rip it open, my knife in hand and ready.

I found both of them, lying there on the floor. I step back for a moment. "Is this real?" I mumble. Carol opens her eyes and looks at me and then to Chloe. I grab Chloe's chin gently, staring at her bloody and beautiful face.

Realization floods Carol's eyes. "We have to help her." She says weakly, trying to stand up.

"What happened?" I ask her, kneeling by her side. I check her pulse. It was faint, too faint, but still there. "Bulimic shock. She lost more than 30% of her fluids." She tells me, her breath shallow. I scoop her gently into my arms before standing. Her body is so frail and thin now. How did I not notice?

Carol holds on to my shoulder, worry etched across her face as we walk back towards the cell block. I clench my jaw. This was real. She's alive. I try to fight the tears swarming my eyes as I stare down at her. 

"We have to hurry, her organs are beginning to shut down." Carol whispers, brushing Chloe's hair away from her face.

"Hey!" I shout as we reach the doors. "Open up, we need help! It's Chloe!" 

"Hershel, she's going into bulimic shock." Carol tells him, tears swarming her eyes. She covers her mouth as she stares at her lifeless body.

"I'm gonna need your help Carol." Hershel calls out, leading me over to one of the cleaner cells. "We need to set up one of those IV's we found." He says, showing us the box. "Where's Rick?" I ask, laying her down. "It's just me right now." He mutters.

He looks down at her pale face as Carol sets the IV up. "I hope it's not too late." He looks up at me. "But if it is, do you have the guts to do it?"

I stare down at her body. I nod. It had to be me. "Now all we can do it wait and pray." He says.

Chloe POV

I woke up soon after, according to Hershel. My body was weak and tired. But I had enough energy to cry with a smile when Daryl came rushing in. I could see the worry on his face as he leaned down to hug me.