(3rd July, 2011)
I groan as I wake up, waking whoever was holding my hands, Daryl and Noel on one side, Carl and Naomi on the other. "What happened?" I questioned once I saw all the blood on my sheets, "some after effects from being raped." George spoke up as he entered the cell, I sigh, everyone knew now. "You're on bed rest for the next four days to complete the week." I looked at him confused, "how long was I out?" "Three days." Carl informs me, I nod, "can I at least stay in a less blood filled bed?" I ask gesturing to the sheets, "yeah, but someone will have to carry you." Carl stood up volunteering himself, "wait how come my clothes are different?" I questioned, "Maggie changed you into something more comfortable and less drenched in blood." Noel tells me, I nod as Carl picks me up and carry's me to our cell.
"Careful Cowboy or you'll become my personal carrier service." Carl chuckled shaking his head at my words, "could you stay with me? Just for a bit." I ask Carl as he lays me down on the bottom bunk bed, "sure." Carl pulled the cell door closed, before crawling into bed next to me. Carl allowed me to cuddle into him, "is this okay?" I question him in a whisper, "yeah, this is okay." Carl promises me, Carl plants a gentle kiss on my forehead, I wasn't tired at all I mean I've just woken up from a three day coma.
My stomach growled angrily causing me and Carl to laugh, "you hungry?" Carl asks an obvious question, I simple nod, Carl goes to get up but I stop him, "Noel!" I call in a singsong way to let him know it's nothing serious, Noel walks in trying to hide a smirk on his lips, "could you grab me some food please?" He nodded, looked at Carl as if to ask him why didn't he get me some, but then the eleven year old shrugged and left.
Noel came back with two bowls of soup, and two bottles of water. I went to sit up, Carl helped me up, sitting me up and leaning my back against the wall. "Thank you," I mumbled as Noel passed me my soup. My hands were still shaking, I don't think they ever stopped since him, I took a deep breath, carrying my spoon to my lips. I sigh as the warm liquid travelled to my empty stomach, filling my body with warmth. I slowly repeat my actions, until my soup bowl was empty, I chugged my bottle of water, feeling a lot better than I did waking up. Noel takes my dishes, leaving Carl and I alone once again. Carl let me stay sitting up, but this time was leaning against his shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
"So what's happened in the last three days?" I question Carl in a croaky voice, I guess my voice box might have some inflammation from the choking. "Nothing really, dad had to tell everyone what happened to you after you were basically in a coma. Everyone's just been worrying about you, Oliver even stopped by and apologised to you but you were unconscious so you probably didn't hear him." Carl informed me, he tensed up as he mentioned Oliver, "he's an ass." My voice broke making Carl chuckle in agreement.
"Do you want something for your throat? You're voice is really struggling." I went to speak but it felt like my throat was on fire, so I just nodded. "I'll be right back." Carl slid away from me, I frown slightly from the lack of his presence. I hate being co-dependant, I need to figure out how I'm going to process this, how I'm going to survive this.
Carl returned with Hershel, who had a sympathetic smile on his face, "I'm going to have ask you to lie down on your back." Hershel requests, I nod and slowly get into position whilst Hershel sits on the bed and pulls out a flashlight. "Shit, that doesn't look good." Carl says causing my eyes to widen, whilst Hershel sent him a look letting him know he was being unhelpful. "I'll go while you get a check up." Carl told me, I nodded at him and waved goodbye. "Nyx, this is going to hurt, to I have permission to touch your neck?"
"You have permission to do whatever is needed to make me better." Hershel nodded knowing what I was referring to. Hershel gentle pushes a finger against my neck, I cringe from the pain letting out a little yelp. "Describe the pain for me please." Hershel asks of me, "burning and a little stingy." I told him, Hershel asks me a series of questions, he allowed me to write down my answers since talking was hurting so much. "Looks like you have Laryngitis, as well as bruising." I nod at Hershel's diagnosis, "you're half to drink a lot of fluid, take voice arrest, and suck on some lozenges. Also we'll keep you off solid food for a couple of days." I think Hershel could see the disappointment in my face, I was already on bed rest, now I can't speak.
"You can whisper whenever you really need to say something." Hershel informs me, "but only when you have to." I nod a small smile on lips, a whisper is better than nothing. "I'll let the others know so they don't think you're being rude." I took Hershel's hand and gave it a little squeeze thank you, the old man smiles at me and nods as if he received my thanks. I watch him, I reach over the edge of the bed, grabbing the bag of comics the Grimes family got me, I pulled out the top comic, Carl had ordered them into order that I should read them with the help of Michonne who was a big WonderWoman fan.
I spent six hours reading comics, during those those hours I've only read 3 comics because people kept popping in to bring me food, water, medication or just to talk. Naomi came in a decided to take her nap laying in bed with me. Noel came in and read his comics beside me, just to keep me some company. He told me about Lena, how he was going to ask her out once she shows some interest in him. Lena stopped by looking for Noel, she talked to me for a while, keeping me up with the cell block gossip which was a great distraction.
Maggie came in and told me that she and Glenn announce their engagement but are holding off the service until I'm back on my feet. I convinced Daryl that I was okay and that he shouldn't give up on bringing new people in just because the ones I came across hurt me. He told me how I stink from not showering in so long, which he received a playfully slap for. Michonne came in for while, she helped me eat my dinner, told me a few stories about herself which made my day. Glenn popped in and told me about the changes the council have made, everyone's new jobs, the new child care services thanks to the library which they've name 'the knowledge sanctuary,' which made me laugh.
I wrote a letter and signed it giving Glenn permission to vote on my behalf during the council meetings that I'll miss. Rick came in and asked me a few questions about Carl, asking me to look out for him which I promised I would. Danny and Oliver came in together, Oliver apologised for his behaviour, I reminded him that I already forgave me, the three of us talked for while, by talked I mean I scribbled down my responses to the conversation topic. Danny informed me that he was gay, and ask me if Carl was straight or not, I shrugged telling him that we haven't really discussed it, and promised I'd ask him.
Once Oliver and Danny left, Carl came in mumbling something about them being asses which made me chuckled. "Well isn't someone popular.." Carl remarks causing me to roll my eyes as he smiled at me cheekily. "What did they want?" Carl asks about Danny and Oliver as he lays down next to me, I scribbling down my answer, 'Oliver apologised-I forgave him, Danny came out- asked me if you played for the same team.' Carl blushed as he read the last bit, "I'm flattered but no, I'm definitely straight." I shrug playfully, causing Carl to scoff at my actions, he goes to stand back up but I catch his hand. I pout and hold out my hands making him laugh but return to my side and allowing me to cuddle into his side once again.
Carl and I just laid in silence for a little while, Carl fell asleep after about 20 minutes. I listened to his heart beat and the soft snores that escaped his lips. I find so much comfort in Carl, I always have, his presence was always so relaxing, except for a little while after he lost his mom, I miss Lori, and T-Dog, and Axel, and Oscar. They were good people, and they didn't deserve to die the ways they did.
Daryl peaked into the cells, seeing me peacefully listening to Carl's calm sounds, "what's going on between you two?" Daryl questions me, I shrug lightly not want to wake Carl, "he feels safe." Daryl nodded as if my whispers made sense, "I was terrified I was gonna lose you Nyx." Daryl admits as I yawn, woah I guess I am tired, more like exhausted, I feel like I've been hit by a truck. I smile sleepily, on the edge of dreamland as I tell Daryl, "I'm not going anywhere Dad..."
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My eyes widened at Nyx's pre-sleep words, I turned to see Noel with the same expression on his face. "She called me Dad right? Or am I hearing things?" I ask Noel to confirm what I heard, he slowly nodded at me and a massive grin grew on my lips. "You're the first person she's ever called that." Noel stated I looked at him confused, "she called all her stepdads by their first name, even my dad who was around for five years never received her blessing with that word." Noel informed me, making me a little giddy that Nyx called me dad, even if she did it by mistake it still meant she saw me as a father figure.
"You know what this means right?" Noel questions me, I shook my head no. Noel tells me that I have to step up and be a father figure for Nyx, especially what happened on her birthday. Which meant no more leaving without telling her, and giving her all the support she needs, and scare all the boys that want to date her. "I know you feel the same way about her Daryl, how her and Naomi are like your daughters-" I shook my head no, "you three are a package deal, and if you're not ready for me to be that figure in your life that's ok, but just know Noel, that I see you as a son. The greatest son a guy like me could have." I thought I upset Noel because he started to cry a little, he pulled me into a hug. "I'm not ready, but I will be eventually, but it's good to know where you stand." I smiled and held my son in my arms, as he calmed down. "Family?" Noel whispered to me, "family," I confirmed before we broke the hug.