.・゜-: ✧☾　☽✧ :-゜・.

𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐙𝐄 𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐒.

"Who the hell are you?" Daryl asked as he approached the inmates.

"Who the hell are you?" One of them spat back at him.

Stella stood frozen as she stared at them. Her mind felt like a tangled web of confusion.

"He's bleeding out. We gotta go back." Rick said with alarm.
Stella watched as Rick instructed Glenn and Maggie to put pressure on Hershel's leg and as Daryl led the inmates out from their hiding.

"Stella, help me out," Glenn said. Stella snapped out of her trance before the duo rushed into the kitchen behind the prisoners. They found a metal table with wheels which they swiftly rolled out from the kitchen. Levi, Rick, and Maggie all helped and lifted Hershel onto the table.

"T, the door!" Rick instructed.

"Are you crazy?! Don't open that?!" One of the inmates said. Daryl was still standing in front of them with his weapon aimed at their heads.

"We got this!" Rick spat back. T-dog pulled the metal spear, that kept the door shut, from between the door handles. As he did, the door was shoved open and a walker limped inside. T-dog hurried over to it before quickly piercing the walker's head with the metal pole. Stella heard the prisoners gasp and yell in shock behind her.

The group rushed out of the room and back into the dark tombs of the prison. Stella helped Rick and Maggie push the table through the corridors as the rest of the group took down the walkers they encountered. Stella was still in shock but knew that there was no time. They had to get him to safety.

Maggie cried loudly next to her and she grabbed her father's hand as they ran.

"Stop, stop," Daryl whispered. They were brought to a halt and Daryl pointed to the sound behind them.

The inmates stumbled through the tombs a few meters behind them, all in deep confusion. The one who seemed like the leader turned the corner first, with his gun aimed in front of him.

"We've got to go." Maggie cried. They began to run again. "He's losing too much blood." She sobbed as they got closer to their cell block.

"Open the door! It's Hershel!" Rick shouted out to the remaining members of the group who had remained in the cell block.

Carol, Ellie, Beth, and Lori hurried up to the cell door followed by Carl.

"Dad!?" Ellie stopped instantly at the sight of her father.

Carol swiftly pulled out her keys and opened the door before the group hurried inside.

"Dad!" Ellie cried out as they passed her on their way into one of the cells. Lori helped Carol clean the space on the bed before Rick and Glenn placed him on top of it.

"He got bit," Rick informed Beth, causing her to panic.

"Oh my God, he's gonna turn!"

Stella pulled Ellie into an embrace as she calmingly ran her hand over her hair.

"Ellie, please, I know you're scared. But I saw the way you helped treat Carl after he was shot. Your dad needs your help" Stella tried to make eye contact with the sobbing girl. "You're his best chance."

"Stella, I know how to treat scrape wounds, not this!" Ellie cried.

"You and your family saved my brother's life. Please, I've seen you do it." Stella pleaded.

"We barely managed to save him. And all of that was thanks to Dad! I won't be able to do that all by myself." Ellie shook her head as the tears came steaming down her face.

"Look, I get it. It's scary but please. We have to try. You have to try. Be strong please." Stella said. Ellie's gaze shifted from her father in the cell to Stella's face before she wiped the tears off her face. "I'm gonna need bandages and clean towels." She said, walking into the cell as she put her hair up.

Stella rushed into one of the cells and grabbed everything that looked helpful before returning to Hershel's bed.

"You think you can stabilize him?" Rick asked Ellie.

"I need to keep his leg levitated. Someone, get some pillows!" Ellie demanded.

"He's already bled through the sheets." Maggie's voice was thick with tears as she stared in horror at her father's leg.

"We can burn the wound to clot the blood. I can start a fire." Glenn suggested.

"No, the shock could kill him. It's not gonna stop the arteries from bleeding. We just need to keep it dressed and let it heal on its own." Ellie said as she pressed the clean towel against her father's limp. She tried to brush some of her hair out of her face leaving a mark of blood trailing on the side of her face but she didn't seem to notice.

As Ellie continued to treat the wound the inmates began to shout from outside their cell block.
"What was that?" Beth asked.

"Prisoners, survivors," Rick informed as he grabbed hold of his gun. "It's alright. Everybody stay put." He said before leaving the cellblock and disappearing with the inmates.

"The bleeding is slowing down. It has to stop eventually, right?" Ellie looked up at the group with glossy eyes.

"It'll stop. I promise." Glenn forced a reassuring smile on his face.

"If we get him through this-" Ellie was quickly cut off.

"When we get him through this." Lori corrected her sharply.

Ellie swallowed hard before continuing. "We'll need crutches."

"Right now we could use some antibiotics and painkillers, some sterilize gauze," Lori said. "There's got to be an infirmary here somewhere."

"If there is, we'll find it," Carol said.

"I'll find it. Tell me what you need, I'll leave now." Stella said firmly.

"No, it's too risky," Lori said as she shook her head.

"Lori' 's right," Levi's voice was sharp. "I mean, we saw what happened to Hershel."

Stella signed knowing that she would never be able to change Levi's or Lori's mind about it.

𝐄 𝐋 𝐋 𝐈 𝐄

Soon, the bleeding had stopped. Everyone sat in silence and stared at the old man. A heavy sadness and worry was laid upon the room. Ragged sobs would escape the Greene girl's lips. Ellie felt nauseous as she stared at her hands, covered in her father's blood as the tears from her eyes dripped down on them. She stood up and left the cell to get herself cleaned up. She stumbled over to the sink and began trying to scrub the blood off her hands. She scrubbed until her skin felt like it was burning as her bitter tears came flooding down her face. She choked back her sobs as she leaned over the sink.

"El, sweetie." Maggie's voice made her spin around. The older sister wrapped her arms around Ellie, who pressed her face against her shoulder as she cried. She wanted to be strong, she tried so hard to but her fear of losing her father felt like needles jabbing at her skin.

"We were stupid to let him go," Ellie said as she steadied her breathing.

"It could have happened to anyone," Maggie patted her head.

"What are we gonna do without him?" Ellie's voice broke. The room felt suffocating. The air felt heavy with an oppressive sadness and worry that clung to every corner.

Maggie sniffed. "Don't say that. He's still here."

"What if he doesn't wake up?" Ellie's lip trembled as she spoke. Her voice had grown quieter and sounded fragile. "Then what? He can't even walk. All we do is run. Mags, I'm scared. I.. I don't know what to do."

"Come on, Elle. He'll make it. He's gonna make it! Daddy's strong." Maggie forced a smile on her face as she tugged a piece of hair behind Ellie's ear.

"Am I the only one living in reality here?" Ellie took a step back from Maggie. "I see the way you're looking at him. You're expecting it too."

"Ellie, I'm..." Just as Maggie began to try and explain, the cellblock door swung open and T-dog and Rick almost danced inside. Two bright smiles were plastered on their faces as they almost sang. "Food's here!"

The two were carrying boxes of canned goods and two bags of potatoes and corn.

"What you got?" Levi asked, exiting Hershel's cell.

"Canned beef, canned corn, canned cans. There's a lot more where this came from." T-dog smiled.

"Awesome!" Levi's eyes shone with excitement as T-dog put his box down before the two did a handshake they had come up with. Stella couldn't help but laugh as the two did finger guns at the end.

Rick informed the group that the prisoners that they had found in the cafeteria refused to leave and that they had come up with a deal. They were gonna help the prisoners clear out their cellblock and that they were gonna live there. Stella wasn't very fond of the idea of having five criminals living right next to her pregnant mother.

Stella helped Carl organize the food as Rick, T-dog, and Daryl took the prisoners to their cellblock. The girl was overwhelmed by all the food. She saw tomatoes, beef, strawberries, and even a few chocolate bars. If it weren't for the incident with Hershel, Stella would probably be on her bed- dancing.

As everyone was too busy either helping Hershel or off somewhere with the inmates, Stella saw her chance. She had to get the medicine for Herhsel, him being the only man who could help her pregnant mother if she went into labor.

"I'm gonna go check on Hershel." Stella lied.

"I'm not organizing all this myself." Carl crossed his arms over his chest.

"I'll be back in just a sec. Plus, Ellie deserves one of these." Stella said, picking up a chocolate bar.

"Hurry," Carl muttered.

"I'll be back before you can say how much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood." Stella smiled and ruffled Carl's hair.

"How much wood would a chucwouck.. woodchuld..." The boy struggled causing Stella to laugh.

As Carl returned his attention to the food (still trying to figure out how to say the tongue-twister), Stella turned toward Hershel's cell but instead of entering, she kept walking and quickly slipped out of the cellblock and into the prison tombs.

She knew how her mother would react if she knew that she was out there, especially after what happened to Hershel. But Stella hoped that finding the medicine that Hershel needed would make up for it.
Their group was already broken. Now, they finally had something to be happy for. They had a shelter, a fort, a home. They had food that would last months. They finally had a chance of happiness. If they could save Hershel, maybe they could have all that. Maybe they could finally heal. The group couldn't take another death.

She had to save Hershel, not only for Ellie, Beth, and Maggie but also for her mom. She could give birth any day now and they needed a doctor.

Her flashlight lit up the path through the tombs. She held her gun steadily aimed in front of her as she passed every corner. Glenn had marked the corners with every turn they had taken earlier. Instead of following the marks, Stella headed into the unexplored tombs. Small rays of sunlight poured in through the small windows in the hallways. Stella walked with carefully placed steps keeping an extra eye out of any walkers on the ground.

The Grimes girl made it to a hallway with doors on each side, all labeled. She let her flashlight travel over the labels, correctional teacher, bailiff, storage room, and lastly infirmity. Stella pulled out her knife before nudging the door open. She jumped inside the room and scanned it quickly. Luckily she spotted no walkers just scattered medical supplies.

Without any knowledge of what anything was, the girl bit the end of her flashlight and got her bag, and began grabbing everything that looked helpful. Bandages, alcohol, antibiotics, painkillers, and a bunch of other stuff that she had no idea what it was.

Just before stepping out, she heard the very familiar groaning sound from a walker outside. Or more like walkers. She managed to peek her head out the infirmary, spotting the backs of at least five walkers. She squeezed her eyes shut, taking a deep breath before she aimed her gun through the gap between the door and the door frame. She fired a shot at the first walker's head, which was silenced by the silencer on her weapon. The walker fell to the ground which gained the other dead's attention. She quietly put down the fourth walker before the last three noticed her in the door.

As soon as they spotted her they limped to the infirmary. She aimed her gun at them, pulling the trigger but nothing happened. She was empty. She couldn't believe that she forgot to bring more ammo. Her heart thundered in her chest as the dead got closer. As one of them was on its way through the door Stella used her foot to kick it shut, smashing the walker's head in the door. Blood splattered over her face and some of her clothes. The last two stumbled over the dead walker on the ground, falling to the floor with a thud. Stella stabbed them in the head with her knife hastily, Once all the dead were on the ground , officially dead, the Grimes girl could finally catch her breath. She grabbed her supplies before hurrying back through the tombs.

__________________

The group was all gathered inside Hershel's cell as Stella stepped into the cell block. As soon as she shut the door behind her Levi rushed up to her and scanned her with two worried eyes.

"Where have you been? Who's blood is that?"

"Don't worry, it's not mine," Stella answered.

"Where were you? I thought you were organizing the food." Levi asked as the two stepped inside Hershel's cell.

"Even better." Stella smiled, placing the bag of supplies on the floor next to Ellie. "Check it out."

"Where did you get all this?" Ellie exclaimed as she looked through the bag with hopeful eyes.

"Found the infirmary," Stella said, preparing herself for her mother's scolding.

"You went by yourself?" Lori shot her a warning look.

The girl took a deep breath. "Yeah, but mom-"

"Are you crazy?" Lori cut her off. Her tone was noticeably louder and more aggressive now. "Is that your blood?"

"It's no big deal. I took down some walkers, it's their blood."

Lori stared at her with her mouth slightly open. Her face was mixed with both confusion and anger. "Do you see this?" She said, referring to Hershel's leg. "This was with the whole group."

"Mom, I get it but I can protect myself. Plus, you needed the supplies so I got it." Stella noticed the sudden anger in her own voice.

"I already told you that you weren't allowed to go!"

"Well, someone had to!" Stella shouted. "I did something good! I was good! I was finally helpful!"

"I'm thankful for that but-"

"Then show it!" Stella said before marching out the door. She didn't mean for her to sound so harsh. Stella never yelled at her mom. It had only happened a few times in her life. Her outburst wasn't aimed at her mother. It was a mixture of the overwhelming emotions this morning and the fear after the walker attack.

𝐄 𝐋 𝐋 𝐈 𝐄

After Stella and Loris heated argument the cellblock fell silent. Rick, Daryl, and T-dog were still away with the inmates, still no sign of them. Hershel had no fever and the bleeding was under control but his breath was labored and his pulse was way down. It felt like torture to watch him as his skin slowly got more pale, just waiting for his chest to stop moving. Hearing his ragged groans in agony and watching as he scrunched his face in pain made Ellie's heart ache. She couldn't stand the silence.

"Could I get a minute with him - alone?" Ellie asked.

"Of course, sweetie." Lori smiled and stood up before leaving the cell, followed by Carl and Carol.

"Ellie, what if..." Glenn swallowed hard. "Maybe I should stay in here. Just to be safe."

"I'll be fine. He's handcuffed." Ellie said. Glenn glanced at Hershel over his shoulder before giving Ellie a comforting smile.

"I'll be right outside, okay." The Asian man said before leaving the cell.

Ellie sighed before sitting down on the bed next to her father. He looked so fragile and weak.

"Hi Daddy, it's me - Ellie." The girl brushed some hair out of his face. She grabbed his free hand and held it in hers. It was cold from all the blood he had lost. He almost felt lifeless. "Dad." Ellie sniffed. "You don't have to fight anymore. If you're worried about me, Beth, and Maggie, don't. Don't worry about us, Daddy. We'll take care of each other. I won't let anything happen to them. I promise. We've got Glenn. He can fight."

Ellie's voice broke and tears brimmed in her eyes. "Go ahead, Dad. It's okay." She sobbed. "I know you're tired. You don't have to fight. Be peaceful." She whispered the last words as her voice gave way. She collapsed into tears, leaning over her father's body. Her shaking hands were wrapped around his as she sobbed.

"I just want to thank you. For everything. You're the best dad a girl can ask for. I love you." Hot tears streamed down her face as she leaned forward and planted a kiss on her father's head. "I love you so much."

Ellie wasn't sure how long she stayed in his cell, sobbing over his pale body but the sun was on its way down when her cries finally stopped. Her eyes were swollen and her throat was dry. He was in pain, he looked so tired. Her gentle grip remained around his hand. The girl's head was resting on his chest, almost to make sure that he was still alive. She felt her head go up and down with every ragged breath. Until suddenly, her head remained still. She sat up swiftly. Her heart dropped upon the realization and she started to back away from the bed with her hand covering her mouth. Beth noticed and hurried into the cell.

"What's happening?" Beth's voice was filtered out along with every other sound as Ellie stared at her father with misty eyes. She saw Beth turn around and shout at her to get help but she couldn't move or talk. Lori rushed into the room and placed her ear against Herhsels chest trying to locate his heartbeat. After searching without any luck, she began performing CPR. Ellie wanted to move, she wanted to help but her feet were glued stuck to the floor. Her whole body trembled as she watched the scene in front of her. This was it. Her dad was dying.

Suddenly, the man's arm tangled around Lori's head and she screamed.

"Mom!" Carl screamed, thinking that Hershel already had turned. Ellie jolted back as a shriek escaped her lips. Beth and Maggie hurried over and grabbed Lori, pulling her away from the man. Hershel's eyes were wide open. But they weren't the eyes of a walker. Ellie stared in deep confusion as her head was spinning. Her father's eyes rolled into the back of his head again. He was alive.

𝐒 𝐓 𝐄 𝐋 𝐋 𝐀

Stella laid in her bunk bed, fiddling with her knife. Her gaze traced over the many names that had been carved into the top of the bunk bed. The blonde let her hand travel over them as she read them. Jeffrey-2001, Elena-2003, Norman-2009, Eliza- 2010. But one that caught her eye was the name Veerah. Stella giggled to herself as she saw the carved-in doodle next to the name. A penis had been drawn next to it causing Stella to cover her mouth as she tried to contain her laughter.

She pulled out her knife and carved out her name. Next to it, she copied the drawing that Veerah had made and carved out a penis. She stared at her horribly drawn penis, giggling to herself before she carved out a sun next to her name.

"Hey," her mother's voice caused her to stop instantly.

"Hi," Stella said as she sat up.

"May I come in," Lori asked, earning a nod from Stella. Lori sank down on Stella's bed before clearing her throat. The tension and awkwardness in the room were so thick you could cut it with a knife. The two Grimes women sat in silence before Lori cleared her throat again.

"Look, about earlier--."

"I know, mom. It was stupid of me to go." Stella said without gaining eye contact with her mom.

"No." Lori shook her head. "You did good. If it weren't for you, God knows what could've happened. It's just..." Lori looked at her daughter, her eyes were shining with the threat of tears. "I can't lose you. I know, you're growing up and I know that you can defend yourself. Hell, I've seen you protect all of us, not just yourself. Just seeing Hershel... I can't lose you like that. Ever."

"Never." Stella smiled before wiping a tear from Lori's face.

"I'm so proud of you. My big girl." Lori wrapped her arms around Stella, holding her close as she kissed her head.

The two sat in each other's comfort, holding each other. Stella closed her eyes and breathed in, feeling a sudden sense of calm. Lori pulled away and leaned back in Stella's bed. She noticed the carvings on the top of the bunk and scanned through them.

"Stella," Lori read out loud before her attention switched to the drawing next to it. "What is that." She laughed.

"It's a" Stella was cut off.

"I know what it is," Lori laughed. "Why does it look like that?"

"What about it?" Stella giggled.

"It's all..crooked."

"Well, it's not easy to carve it in with only a knife." Stella defended her art.

"Hold on," Lori sat back up straight. "Give me that. Let me try."

Stella handed Lori her knife and the woman began to carve in yet another penis on an empty spot.

"Now, would you look at that?" Lori admired her drawing.

"That one's worse than mine. What's all that?" Stella laughed as she pointed to a couple of spots on the penis.

"It's hair. Duh!" Lori said, overly dramatic causing the girls to fold from laughter.

"You're so childish." Stella giggled.

"Oh, I am childish? Who stared with the penis drawings?"

"It wasn't me!" Stella defended herself. "Look!" She pointed to the penis that had been carved into the metal next to Veerah's name. "It was Veerah!"

"You have to add your name next to it," Stella said.

Lori Grimes.

The woman carved her name in, amongst the others.

"How are you feeling? You know, with the pregnancy and all." Stella asked once they had calmed down and placed a hand on her mother's stomach.

"Mostly excited to meet her." Lori smiled.

"Her?" The blonde frowned.

"I've got a feeling it's gonna be a girl. You've always said you wanted a little sister."

Stella smiled, hugging her knees to her chest. "Yeah." They sat in silence before she continued. "If it is a girl, can we name her Lilly?"

Lori stared deeply into Stella's big sad eyes. "You miss her, don't you?"

"Yeah, but she's not dead. She can't be. She's a total badass. She has to be alive."

"I have to admit, she is a badass. Remember the time, when she came home with a bloody nose after fighting that kid? What was his name?"

"Mitch." Stella smiled as the memory came back to her.

"That's right. Oh, I remember it so well. She ran home to us with blood running from her nose after their fight." Lori laughed.

"He only got one punch in. She beat his ass in front of the whole school. Plus he was like twice her size." Stella giggled. "You know, he transferred after that."

"Really?!" Lori exclaimed. "He got what he deserved. Lucille was so mad with her after that."

"Negan was mad too. But just over the fact that she didn't kill him." The two girls laughed before a soft silence was laid upon the room.

"Levi came to talk to me earlier. After our argument." Lori said.

"He did? Why?" Stella asked.

"He came to defend you. Told me that you did what you had to, to protect the group, to protect Hershel. He was the one who sent me up here, to talk to you" Lori smiled gently. "He's a good kid. Just know that I'm okay with you two."

Stella spun her head in her mother's direction as her mouth stood agape. "Mom!"

"Oh come on. I'm fat and pregnant but I'm not blind. I can see the way you look at him. Most of all the way he looks at you. I mean come on, that boy is basically drooling all over you." Lori laughed as Stella covered her face in embarrassment.

"Mom! Stop it!"

"No! I wanna hear everything! You like him, don't you?"

"Mom, stop it right now. I'm not doing this, okay?" Stella buried her face in her hands.

"Oh, come on! It's so obvious."

"It's not like that. I..I don't know." Stella stuttered. She wasn't lying. She had no idea what was happening between her and Levi. They had barely talked since that day by the piano. She didn't know what to feel or think. Levi was her best friend but something was different since the kiss. "It's complicated. I mean, he's nice and all. And good looking."

"Very." Lori filled in causing Stella to giggle.

"But it's just... I don't think I can't feel that way about anyone. Not in this, with walkers around every corner. I don't know, maybe when life isn't just about surviving."

"It's clear that he feels something for you." Lori grinned.

"Yeah, I mean he's sweet, smart and all. And a good kisser." Stella almost whispered the last part. Lori's mouth shot open and her eyes widened.

"Stella Amelia Grimes!" She exclaimed. "He's a wha- You guys kissed?!"

"Shhh! He might hear you!" Stella laughed, placing her finger to her mouth to tell her mom to quiet down.

"When!?" Lori asked.

"Back in that old house. The other day." Stella's face crimsoned in embarrassment. She couldn't believe she was telling her mother this.

"And you didn't tell me!?" Her mom looked offended. "How did it happen?"

"Okay, enough. Now, you've crossed the line." Stella got up.

"No, don't go. You can't leave me hanging like this."

"Bye, crazy lady!" Stella laughed leaving her cell.

_____ ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ _____
𝟒𝟓𝟕𝟎 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬
𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
_____ ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ _____

A/N

wow.

this might just be one of my favorite chapters so far despite the whole thing with Hershel.
anyways there's a very very sad and tragic chapter coming up. I'm genuinely tweaking just thinking about it.

Also be very very honest rn: is the whole pov switching thing annoying?