Worth It

Chapter 26: This Sorrowful Life

"What's happening?!" Daryl screams, looking at me. "The baby died." Hershel says, fear in his eyes. "It's crawling its way out."

I scream in pain, feeling something inside me tear. "Help her!" Daryl screams again. But its too late. A little hand pierces out of my stomach, and the last thing I see are two small, blood shot little eyes.

I wake up in a sweat, shaking. I look down at Daryl, who was still sleeping beside me and place a hand on my stomach.

I look over my shoulder and into the hallway. The sun was shining, and I couldn't hear people below. I swung my legs over the side and got up, picking up my knife and bow in the process. I quickly tie my boots and climb down the stairs.

"Chloe." Carol says, surprised to see me up so early I'm sure. I give her a quick smile, hoping to get out before Daryl saw me. 

I shut the door behind me and walk into the opening. Carl stood at the gate and I looked up to Rick in the tower. "I'm going out. Hunting." I call up to him. He nods and Carl quickly lets me out.

I stab one of the walkers in the face before lightly jogging down the path.

When I got out of the prison gates, I jogged a little bit more before walking. "Chloe." I hear someone pant from behind me. I turn to see Daryl chasing after me. I stop and turn towards him fully.

"Hi." I mumble. He pauses when he gets to me. "I heard you were going hunting." I nod, continuing on the path. He grabs my arm. "Not right now."

I look at the ground. "I'm scared." I say, tears escaping my eyes. His hands find their way into my hair. "I had a dream, the baby died." He recoils. "And it crawled its way through my stomach."

I sniffled before pulling away slightly. "What if...?"

He shoves my face into the crook of his neck. "That's not going to happen. Trust me." Daryl says to me. His voice isn't shaking. It's sturdy and reassuring. Does he really believe that?

He takes my hand, leading my back to the prison, stopping my fear-caused hunting.

"Oh fuck." I mumbled, looking at the group of walkers that gathered. Daryl lets go of my hand and pulls out his knife, just like me. We step inside the gates, jogging up to the fence. One of them gets too close and I stab it through the eye. 

Behind me, Daryl does the same. I turn towards him, but I'm cut off by another walker. I go to scream but Daryl tackles it.

Oh god oh god he's gonna get bit.

I kick it off of him before grabbing his arm and pulling him to the gate with me. Carl slams it shut behind me. I turn towards him and grab him, pulling him towards me. "I'm sorry. I love you." I tell him over and over.

"I'll protect you two no matter what sunshine." He tells me out of breathe. His hands finding their way into my hair once again.

"I know."

"It's the only way." Rick tells us. I shake my head and sigh. "No one else knows. 

"You gonna tell 'em?" Daryl asks him. He shakes his head. "Not till after." Hershel stands with us, not saying anything. I watched the walkers banging up against the fence. "We have to do it today. It has to be quiet."

Daryl shuffles for a moment. "You got a plan?" Daryl asks him, watching me watch the walkers. Rick walks up to him. "Tell her we need to talk. Away from the others." Daryl stares at him before turning to Hershel.

I know what that looks means. He doesn't agree. "It just ain't us man." Daryl says. I let out a breathe of relief. "No.  No, it isn't." Hershel says, finally adding to the conversation before walking away.