Ruins

23

I didn't know if driving myself was the best idea, but I knew we needed those guns more than anything.

"Mother of God." I groaned, leaning to my right, hoping to ease the burn in my side.

It was a straight shot to the Hilltop, and Enid could take care of me as soon as I got there. But the drive was seeming to take longer than usual. And once I looked down to my side I could see blood covering my side, my jacket, the seat, and the car door.

"Oh shit." I breathed, slowing down. I put the car in park and untied my jacket getting a surge of blood, that made me lightheaded. "Okay." I let out a breath. "I'm not gonna pass out." I shook my head. "I'm not gonna pass out." I reached to the glove compartment finding a few napkins. I stuck them to the graze and use my knife to cut my sleeve off my jacket. I tied it tighter around my waist, and once I was back on the road tears were clouding my vision.

"Pull it together Samara. You aren't gonna pass out." I repeated. "You are pregnant and shot... You have to get home." I was almost there when the car began stalling. I knew I had no gas, but the car was drained now.

I got out, securing my knife and making my way towards the clearing before the Hilltop.

My breathing was ragged and loud by the time I could see the gates.

"Hey-" I cut myself off with a groan. "Hey!" I waved. "Cal!" I could see the gates opening and Maggie and Enid running out. By the time they got to me I almost chuckled.

"I'm pregnant and I'm shot." I breathed. "I'm gonna pass out."

That was the last thing I remember before waking up in the medical trailer.

My limbs felt heavier than they've ever been, and my head was spinning.

"Hey."

I looked sideways at Aaron.

"Hey." I croaked. "How is she?" I asked, seeing Gracie in his arms.

"She's great." He laughed. "How are you?"

"Tired." I spoke, looking down at myself. "Am I okay? Where's Enid? Is the baby okay-"

"Yes, Sam." He sat forward. "You're okay. The baby's okay." He laid his hand over mine. I took a few minutes to catch my breath and noticed how sad he looked.

"Aaron." I spoke. "What is it?" I held his hand.

"E-Eric didn't make it." His face crumbled, breaking ny heart.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry Aaron." I shook my head.

"I left him behind. He was shot and I left him." He sniffled, holding Gracie to his chest.

I shook my head, oddly seeing Daryl in him as he cried. I was shot and he left me behind, because I told him to.

I couldn't imagine Daryl having to go through this, especially blaming himself.

I turned to my side, holding his hand and letting him be sad, for a while, until Enid came in.

"You're awake, thank God." She spoke, moving to my side. "You scared the hell out of us." She shook her head.

"I was trying not to pass out the whole way here." I chuckled. "But I'm okay." I tried to sit up a little.

"No." Enid ordered. "You're not. Your nutrients are really low, and you've lost a lot of blood. We don't have anyone to donate right now." She shook her head. "You have to stay in bed."

I huffed, looking around the room.

"Can I at least be a prisoner to my own bed?" I asked, making her smile.

"Sure. As long as you actually stay in bed."

"I may be stubborn, but I'm not stupid. I wouldn't put this baby in danger." I held my hand over my stomach, feeling oddly emotional.

"Okay, Aaron." Enid took Gracie and Aaron helped me out of the trailer and over to mine.

"What time is it? Daryl should've been back by now." I spoke, seeing the sun setting.

"He'll be back." Aaron rubbed my back. "Here." He left a glass of water by my bed and a bag of crackers.

"Thank you Aaron." I sighed. "You will heal from this." I told him.

He left me to sleep. Until I woke to the trailer door slamming open.

"Babe-"

"Come on, we gotta get home-"

"She can't go, Daryl!" I heard Maggie. "She needs to stay in bed."

"Daryl!" I spoke, getting him to turn to me. "Hey, you have a job to do." I told him. "Y'all need to finish this." I tugged his hand forward, letting him sit with me. "I made it, okay?"

"She was in really bad condition when she me made though. She can't fight. She needs to rest."

Daryl looked down at me, under his bangs.

"Never should'a left you." He spoke, holding onto my hands. "M'sorry."

"No." I shook my head. "I made it, and you guys got the guns, so you did the right thing."

He looked down at his feet, and sighed.

"You're gonna leave me here. And finish this." I pulled him down to kiss me. "I love you, and if I could go I would. But I have bigger things to worry about. I gotta keep this little guy safe. And you have to keep us safe. Alright?"

He nodded, dragging his hand over his cheek.

"I'll leave in the morning." He grumbled, standing up to nod to Maggie. She left us and he closed the door. I made room for him and laid on my side.

"Are you okay?" He asked, peeling his shirt off.

"I'm okay." I shrugged. "We're okay." I held my stomach. He laid on his side facing me.

"Hey, what happened?" I asked, running my fingers over his forehead, where there was a small gash.

"Rick." He huffed.

"Rick?"

"Got into a fight." He shrugged. "I left him out there."

"Daryl-"

"He was being a prick." He defended, making me laugh. "I wanted ta' take some dynamite. Blow a hole in the sanctuary-"

"Daryl." I scolded. "We have a plan." I told him.

"I know." He sighed, sliding down the bed, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Love you." He spoke.

"I love you too." I sighed, running my fingers through his hair, tugging it so he'd climb further up. "You're going to finish this. We're going to win." I held his face, kissing him hard.

"I know." He nodded. "M'gonna leave early. Might not get to say bye."

I nodded, laying on my back, tugging his face with me, to kiss him slowly.

"Can you lock the door?" I asked, reaching for his jeans and glancing up at him through my lashes.

"Sam, I don't wanna hurt you-"

"Please Daryl. I just need to feel you." I begged lightly. Sex with Daryl was usually rough, and I loved it that way, with his hand around my neck and fingers pulling my hair. But after Negan... Things are different.

Lately it has just been about being together, and healing from what we went through.