Andi

"Rick? Honey, what happened?" I asked, dropping my wine glass on the ground, rushing to wrap an arm around Rick’s trembling body, struggling to support his weight as we moved toward the house. Even with my support, Rick collapsed onto the porch floor. "Daryl! Glenn!" I screamed, my voice shaking as blood pulsed from Rick’s side in steady, alarming bursts. Daryl ran over in an instant, his steps heavy and urgent as he rushed over, lifting Rick like he weighed nothing. I held onto Rick’s limp body with one hand, the other trembling as it clung to the porch railing. Every second felt like an eternity, a cruel countdown as his blood soaked my fingers.

"Wha’ happened to him?" Daryl asked once Rick was settled on the couch. Rick drifted in and out of consciousness, his face pale, as I gently brushed his hair back.

"I don’t know... I just saw him limping toward the house. I was having a drink, and then…" I trailed off, tears blurring my vision as I watched Daryl carefully clean the wound. "Is he…?"

"Nah, he’s tough. He’ll pull through," Daryl assured me, his voice steady. “I’ll get Hershel to come check him." He gave me a worried look. "You a’right? Need anythin’?"

I shook my head, resting it gently on Rick’s chest, listening to the faint but reassuring beat of his heart. A few moments later, Daryl returned with Hershel, Maggie, and Glenn, their arms full of medical supplies, ready to help.

As Hershel sat beside Rick, he took a steadying breath before examining the wound, his experienced hands moving carefully. The rest of us watched in tense silence, barely breathing as we waited for some kind of reassurance.

"Looks like he took a deep stab to the side, just missed the vital organs." He cleaned the wound carefully, assessing the damage. "We need to stop the bleeding and stitch the wound." Hershel looked up at Glenn and Daryl. “We need to move him to a flat surface, Maggie, clear the dining room table. Glenn, Daryl, can you carry him?” Daryl nodded at Glenn, each grabbing Rick from opposite ends and carrying him to the table. I followed as the rest of the group moved into the dining room, leaning against the far wall as they all worked to help Rick.

Maggie passed Hershel a bundle of gauze, and he pressed it firmly to Rick’s side. Meanwhile, Glenn hovered nearby, handing over supplies and glancing nervously between Rick and the rest of us.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Rick’s face. He looked so different – so vulnerable. His breaths were shallow, each one a slight rasp.Watching him like this, drenched in blood and fading in and out of consciousness, wasn’t new to me, but it still filled me with anxious fear every time. As I squeezed his hand, I could feel the damp warmth of his blood on my fingers, but I didn’t let go. “I’m here, Rick. Stay with me honey…”

"He’ll be alright," Hershel assured me, catching my worried expression. "We’ve got him now."

Daryl placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, grounding me in the moment. Daryl led me out of the room, sitting next to me on the couch. “He’ll be a’right. Ain’t nobody better than Hershel, y’know that.” Daryl’s hand was firm on my shoulder as he pulled me into a comforting embrace, his steady presence anchoring me as a sob tore through me.

As Hershel continued his work, the room filled with a quiet, tense determination. Maggie and Glenn stayed close, ready to help, and Daryl kept a watchful eye on me, making sure I was alright.

The night outside was thick with silence, a heavy stillness broken only by the soft rustle of leaves as they fell to the ground. In the streets of Alexandria, the distant shuffle of footsteps echoed like a quiet promise, a subtle yet comforting reminder that, for now, we were safe from any further harm. The minutes stretched on as Hershel carefully stitched the wound, the needle biting through skin with a steady rhythm. Each tug of thread felt like an eternity, but his hands never faltered.

After what felt like hours, Hershel finally finished. He sat back in the nearest chair, wiping his brow. As soon as Hershel was finished, I rushed to Rick’s side, holding his blood-soaked hand in mine. Hershel placed a comforting hand on my shoulder before speaking softly. "Now he just needs rest, and lots of it."

Relief washed over me, mingling with the exhaustion that had settled into my body. I rested my head gently on Rick's shoulder, feeling the rise and fall of his chest, steady now.

"Thank you, Hershel," I whispered, my voice thick with gratitude.

"We’re family. We look out for each other," Hershel replied quietly, looking down at me with worry in his eyes.

As the others began to clear away the supplies, I stayed close, watching over Rick, listening to the quiet rhythm of his breathing, a precious reminder that he was still here with us.

“Do you want us to stay?” Maggie asked, kneeling next to me. I shook my head, wiping a tear away from my cheek. “Glenn and I are next door if you need us, and Dad is right down the road. Don’t hesitate, okay?” I nodded, quickly hugging Maggie as the others started to leave. 

“Thank you, for everything. I don’t know what I would have done if…” I trailed off, tears streaming down my face.