In the Very End: Book One

Chapter 40

*WARNING: Please be advised that this chapter contains mature content and strong language.*

Chapter 40
Quinn's POV

"It's not as bad as it looks," I said through the window.

I panted heavily, trying to catch the breath that wouldn't come to me. Daryl gave me that look of pitty and displacement that made him look like this was his fault, which it wasn't.

"Don't do that," I wheezed, shaking my head.

He nodded, looking down as he leaned against the railing, both palms to it.

"I must be a sight to see," I said, laughing hoarsely. "How's everyone doing—"

He cut me off. "Don't think about that. Think positive." He paused for a while, studying my features. "You'll get better."

"I don't know," I cried, laying my head against the cold cement ledge.

"I got a group together to go get meds. I wanted to say bye before I left." He placed his hand against the window.

"Daryl," I said as I placed mine against his.

"Get some rest. I gotta go if you wanna get better." And with that, he left.

"I love you," I whispered as I watched him walk down the dark corridor.

___

"Drink it," Hershel ordered as he held out the cup full of tea that was supposed to make me feel better.

"You shouldn't be in here," I said, grasping the cup in my hands.

"Tell me you wouldn't be," he said quietly.

I put the cup to my lips, taking a long sip. I let out a loud cough, blood spattering all over my arm. I used an old rag to wipe it off.

"This sucks," I muttered.

"Here, keep this on your forehead," Hershel said as he placed a cold washcloth on my head. "Veterinarian's orders."

I let out a sigh. "After everything, we just get taken out by a glorified cold."

"Don't say things like that, don't even think things like that."

"All I can do is stop saying them," I said.

"No, you can do more," Hershel insisted. "We got this far somehow, you can believe somehow. Now we all have jobs here; that one's yours."

"Thank you," I whispered.

___

"You wanted me?" I said through the window.

"Yeah," Rick replied lowly. "I know you're under a lot of pressure, but I need a second opinion."

I nodded.

"Carol killed Karen and David. I'm taking her out, gonna send 'er off. She can't be around us anymore; she's a threat—"

"—and we have to eliminate the threat," I finished for him.

He nodded slowly, meeting my eyes.

"Does anyone—" I coughed again and spit out a pool of blood. "Does anyone else know?"

"Not yet."

"Are you planning on telling 'em?" I asked, my voice cracking slightly.

"For now, no. So keep your mouth sealed."

I nodded. "She immediately went for her knife when she heard me coughing. Maybe she was trying to control the sickness?"

Rick gave me a side glance as he processed it. "Thing is, she didn't. She just killed people. We're goin' on a run for meds," he said as he leaned off the windowsill. "Feel better, Quinn."

"Thank you," I said quietly as I stood up.

I headed back to check on Glenn and Sasha. I made my way up the metal stairs.

"How ya feelin'?"

Glenn groaned.

"Me, too," I said, sitting against the wall next to him.

He let out a loud cough, blood splattering against his hand. His eyes were red and puffy, and sweat beaded on his forehead.

"You should get some rest," I said quietly.

I lifted the cloth from his hand and placed it on his forehead.

"Can't," he said firmly. "Every time I fall asleep, I cough and just wake myself up, so it's no use."

"Mmm," I agreed, leaning my head back against the wall. "We'll be okay. We've been through so much. We aren't gonna let a little cold bring us down."

Glenn didn't answer, but the mood in the air let me know he agreed with me. We were too tough to let this take us down, not after what we've gone through.

___

I breath was heavy as I fed the tube down Henry's throat.

"Henry, I need you to calm down," Hershel said softly.

Glenn held him still while Sasha and I helped Hershel get the tube down. Once it was down far enough, Hershel squeezed fresh air into his lungs. My body felt heavy after all the energy I just used. I coughed into my elbow.

"Drink some of that," Hershel ordered. "All of you."

I continued to cough until Glenn handed me a cup of red tea.

"Some council meeting, huh?" Hershel said rhetorically.

"We're two members short," I said tiredly as I handed Sasha the cup.

"I think we should make some new rules before they get back," Hershel said. "I hereby declare that we have spaghetti Tuesdays every Wednesday."

Sasha gave Hershel a stern stare at his attempt to make us laugh and, although we were both feeling like crap, Glenn and I shared a smile.

"You okay to take over?" Hershel asked. I nodded my head and took the plastic jug. "Every five to six seconds, squeeze. If you start to get lightheaded, grab somebody else to take over."

"We'll take it in shifts," Sasha decided. "You wanna help me go on my rounds?"

Glenn nodded weakly. "How long will that keep him alive?"

"Just as long as we're willin' to do it," Hershel answered. "As long as it takes."

And with that, they were off. I turned my gaze back to Henry.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Squeeze

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Squeeze

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Squeeze

A few minutes later, Glenn came back in and took over for me.

I slowly stood up. "I'm gonna go see if Hershel needs any help."

I stepped out of the cell to hear a gurgling sound. I limped down the stairs as I watched another member spaz out on the ground, choking on his own blood. I pulled the stretcher out and rolled it over to Hershel who was kneeling on the ground next to the man.

"Everyone get back in your cells," he said. "Go on, get back in your cells."

"Here, get him on this," I said as I collapsed the stretcher to floor level.

"Go rest," Hershal ordered. "Can you make it to your cell?"

Although I wanted to argue, I got extremely dizzy and decided it might be easier to just nod. I slowly limped back up the stairs and down the short hall to the cell I shared with Glenn and Sasha. I leaned my back against the cold cement wall. My eyes closed and I fell to the floor, landing with a thud.