Saved

I

I don't think I realized I was alive, for quite awhile. It started out slow. That awareness. 

I could feel things first. Light brushes against my hands, my face. I could feel the weight of the blanket on top of me, and that soft scratch of it against my skin when someone sat on the bed. I could feel the cramps in my toes, from not being able to move them, and I felt when someone realized I was having cramps, and started to move my arms and legs around for me every few hours, to help relieve the ache. But mostly I could feel pain. In my stomach, between my legs, my breasts, my back. 

It was with the pain that I started to think that I was either alive, or in hell, because pain doesn't exist in heaven. Right?

After the sensations, I started being able to pick up smells. I could smell that wonderful earthy smell that I had always associated with Daryl, mixed in with the smell of cigarettes, which must have just been engrained into his clothes, because I knew he hadn't smoked since he met me. I could smell chocolate, that I knew had to be Carl, since he seemed to always have some. And I could smell something else. Something new. It reminded me of baby powder, but I couldn't figure out what it was, because it always left way too fast. 

Next, came the noise. It was silent at first, and I didn't realize I could hear for awhile, since nothing was happening around me. But eventually that first noise came. It was a horrible screech, and I wanted to move away from it, but I still couldn't lift my limbs. It sounded like a chair being pulled across the ground, and I guess I was right, because I could feel someone grab my hand, but no-one sat on my bed this time. 

"Riley... our son is beautiful. He's got brown hair, lots of it. You'll probably want to cut it when you wake up. It's gettin' a little long. Mine is too honestly. Touches my collar now. Haven't had you to cut it for me. And I told you no-one would ever get to touch my hair but you." It was silent for a moment, and I could hear him rocking in his chair, and I knew he was uncomfortable, or upset. Maybe both. 

"The boy... Dale... he's almost two months old now. You're missing things Riley. He smiled at me today. Laughed at somethin' Carol did. He should be laughin' at you darlin'. Hershel says that you might be able to hear me... and I hope that's true. I hope you know how much we need you. I need you to keep fightin'. Keep fightin' for our boy. Fightin' for me. I love you baby. It's not your time yet." 

He stayed with me for hours... at least it felt like hours. And no one interrupted us, but I could hear Dale cry every so often, only to be shushed by someone a few cells down. So it must be night. Everyone in bed. 

I wanted to cry. Scream. 

Force myself to move. Just do anything to make it happen. Anything to get up and comfort him. Tell him I could hear him. And that I loved him too. That I loved our son. 

It was a few days before I could wiggle my toes. But when I did, I could hear their excitement, thinking I was waking up, but my eyelids felt like metal doors that just wouldn't budge. And I could hear their frustration, and their anxiety as the day went on and I still didn't wake. 

The next day I could move my fingers. I squeezed Daryl's hand when he told me he loved me before he left to go on his run. I didn't want him to go. What if he was hurt? Who would take care of Dale? What would I do without him? But he felt it. And he called everyone in again, thinking I might wake. 

But still, those damn doors wouldn't open. Wouldn't let me see my love. My life. 

It must not have been time. 

So, Daryl left, and I could hear him yelling curses on his way out the door, frustrated that I still hadn't woken. 

It was that night, the night he didn't come back to me, that I did. I woke up, hearing the sound of Dale's cries echo around the cell block, as I stared around at the empty cell, wondering why Daryl hadn't come back to see me. 

A/N: Alright guys! Here we go! We're gonna kick it off with a tad bit of excitement, so I hope you all enjoy the ride! 

Also, I won't be updating any more today, if I can, I will on Tuesday, but if I don't I will update on Friday/Saturday, so keep an eye on your notifications! 

I love you all, thank you so much for reading!

P.S.: If there is anything you guys want to see happen, or something you want from this book you aren't getting/haven't got with the first book, feel free to drop a comment here or P.M. me! I'm always open to suggestions!