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Lydia half carried Carol into the run down shack, pleading with her legs to keep moving, keep supporting Carol. They were almost there. Daryl would come after them, would track them like he was so good at. He’d kill the people that did this to them, and then he’d find them and save them like he always did.
“Come on Carol, only a few more steps.” Lydia was practically begging, Carol’s body barely moving against her. She inhaled deeply before tossing Carol over her shoulder as gently as she could. She knew it was bad because Carol didn’t voice a protest. She could feel hot blood running down her back, unsure if it was hers or Carol’s.
Lydia set Carol down gently on the poor excuse for a bed before shutting the front door, jamming it shut with a chair. She turned back to Carol who was slowly slipping back into consciousness.
“Hey, you’re back.” Lydia smoothed back Carol’s hair. “Had me worried.” She added softly.
“‘M here.” Carol mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.
They’d been ambushed. They were hunting together, just like they always did after Daryl cleared an area. He’d clear the area next to his hunting ground to make sure it was safe, and then he’d let them hunt. All Lydia remembered was the forest going dead silent, the silence soon being punctuated with gunfire from all sides. Lydia had been grazed in the shoulder, just barely escaping a much more fatal wound. Then she’d heard Carol yelp. She’d turned around just in time to see her hit the ground. In an instant she was by Carol’s side, helping her up frantically as they dodged more gunfire. Lydia wasn’t sure how far they’d walked, but it had taken long enough for Carol’s whines to turn into labored breaths.
Lydia busied her shaking hands by cleaning and dressing Carol’s wound. Carol watched her face through heavy eyelids.
“That bad, huh?” She tried to make the younger girl smile, but her ragged breaths only served to worry the girl more.
“You’re gonna be okay. Daryl will find us, and then we’ll get you back to Alexandria, and you’ll be okay. I promise.” Lydia’s tears were streaming freely down her cheeks.
“I’ll be okay.” Carol echoed. She knew it wasn’t true, but she had to give Lydia hope. Hope was all they had these days.
A few hours later, there was still no sign of Daryl. Carol had a bad fever, drifting in and out of consciousness.
“Lydia…” Carol whispered. Lydia looked up, having had her head in her hands while sitting in the stool across the room.
“I’m here.” She said gently, sitting on the edge of the bed. Lydia took Carol’s hand. They sat there for a while silently, studying one another’s faces. They knew their time would be over soon, and they wanted to be able to remember every second they got together.
“Want you to have this.” Carol pulled her knife off of her belt, sliding to Lydia. Lydia stared at the knife in her hands as tears welled in her eyes.
“Carol…” Lydia was sobbing now, unconsolable.
“S’Okay.” Carol whispered, pulling Lydia to lay with her. She knew she didn’t have long left. Lydia laid her head on Carol’s chest as sobs escaped her.
“I need you. I can’t lose you too.” Lydia cried.
“‘M sorry.” Carol breathed out, her hand shakily running through Lydia's hair in a desperate attempt to soothe her. Her heart hurt more than the gunshot. She loved this girl so much and leaving her was killing her faster than the blood loss.
“I love you.” Lydia sobbed.
“I love you too, Lydia. So much. I’m so proud of you” Carol pressed a gentle kiss to Lydia’s head, tears streaming down her own face.
A few minutes later, Daryl found them. But it was too late.