( tw! death )

━ CHAPTER TEN,
i can never bring you peace.

that morning

DREW HASTINGS SAT IN the corner of the cell, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched Salem sleep. He was nearly scared to take his eyes off her because if he did, she'd disappear. Salem hasn't gotten better like most of the people who caught the flu like, Glenn. Rather, She's gotten worse.

Late last night while the others were on their run, they had a close call that practically made Drew's heart fall out of his chest! Salem started to choke on her own blood and Hershel almost didn't save her. Right before Salem stopped choking, he saw the man's face change as if he was about to give up on her.

Even with the chances of catching the virus, he held her in his arms that night and made sure the cold rag stayed planted on her forehead. A few times during the night he checked her pulse, making sure she was still with him.

No one understood why Drew never left Salem's side. Not even his mother or Hershel himself.

The boy believed that Salem Peletier understood him a little more than others. Along with that, Drew understood that he needed to stay by her side.

As the hours progressed and the sunrise came, the boy fell asleep in the chair beside the bed. His legs were crossed and his head leaned back against the stone-cold wall.

Hershel was wandering by the rooms before he halted, limped back, and saw the boy still there. The man sighed and ambled over, tapping the boy on the shoulder.

Drew bolted up, his eyes searching the room frantically before catching the older man standing above him, "Gosh, man, you scared me," he mumbled, sitting up straight, "Something wrong?" Hershel shook his head.

"What are you still doing here, kid?" Drew shrugs, acting like he didn't understand, "Your sister is back from her run. Why are you still here?" Hershel questioned. He didn't particularly like that Drew spent all his time here. Drew shook his head, "I'm sure she's fine. My mom knows where I am."

Hershel sough, sitting in the other chair beside Drew, "Kid, you have been here for days. I appreciate the help but you know you aren't supposed to be in here."

Drew took a glance at Salem before back at Hershel and shook his head again. "I can't, just let me stay. I'll do whatever." It didn't bother him, he just wanted to be with her until she was better. "I was just being nice. You barely helped around here." He tilted his head making Drew laugh.

"I was sweeping just— just an hour ago!"

Hershel took a look around before back at the young man, "Really?"

Drew chuckled, leaning back into his seat, and clearing his throat. "Where's her mom, anyway? She hasn't come to see her." Since Salem has gotten sick, Carol hasn't asked to see her daughter. When Sal would ask for her, she never came.

Drew never told Salem because it'd break her heart but when Carol came by it was for Lizzie and never really asked about her daughter.

Hershel looks down, "You can't tell Sal but Rick sent her away."

"What do you mean he sent her away?" Drew sat up, his voice raising a bit, "That's Salem's mom! That's all she's got."

"She has you." Drew huffed, "He knew that, he found it necessary." Hershel tried to reason. "You'll have to talk to Rick," Drew rolls his eyes and leans back again, "I can't speak for him!"

The room got quiet beside the sound of Salem's breathing that started to quicken. Drew's eyebrows scrunched together and then heard a loud cough followed by another. Right away, he got up and rushed over to her.

She turned over and began coughing over the bed, a few drops of blood falling to the floor. His hand went to her back, rubbing up and down in a soothing manner, "Shh, you're okay."

After a few more coughs, she spit onto the ground with the blood that collected in her mouth and sat up. She gently touched her sore throat, and leaned into Drew's side, "Good job, love. Shh," he stroked her hair and pecked the top of her head.

He looked up and saw Hershel now standing by the door, he gave him a nod, and with that, he left. The boy sighed, his lips going into a line, focusing back on the girl in his arms. He pressed his hand against her forehead, "You're burning up again." He mumbled.

"It's gonna be okay, Sal."

He felt a head shake against his chest. "No," a scratchy voice spoke up. He looked down at her, "What?" She lifted up her head off his chest and her safe softened when she saw his face. "You know you can't save me."

Drew's eyes widened at the words, he shook his head and unwrapped his arm from her, "No."

She readjusted herself, "Drew, I have to tell you," he shook his head again, looking anywhere but her, "I've had time to think about this and... I'm not afraid." She hoped he'd understand or at least, respect how she felt.

Drew shook his head again, "No." he whispered.

She inhaled and exhaled, "Drew, I'm not getting better. You see these people standing and walking out of here— I can't walk without falling over. I'm weak, Drew." He looked at her, "No, you're not. Everyone's different."

"Even, my mom can see it! She hasn't come to see me because she knows. You're smarter than this." If she could realize it, so could he. "I'm not talking about this Salem." She looked away at the sound of her actual name.

"You have to understand—" Drew cut her off, "I don't have to understand anything." She sighed before uttering again, "You can't save me." Silence took over them and they sat on either side of the bed, looking somewhere else.

"I can try."

now

THE MOMENT CASSANDRA heard the first blast and gunshots, she sat up in shock. Laying down her book, she walked out of her room and saw the block empty before giving attention to the scattered running footsteps coming towards her.

Cassandra turned and saw Beth; "Beth!" The girl was holding a gun and looked panicked. "What's going on out there?!"

Beth ignores her question, "We have to get everyone on the bus!" "What—" Beth clasped her arm and started pulling Cass with her, "Come on!"

As they ran, trying to find anyone, Beth seemed to remember something and she stopped, letting go of Cass's arm making Cass alarmed. "What— what's wrong?"

Beth didn't answer her besides the "Get them on the bus!" as she ran off in the opposite direction. "Beth!" Cassandra shouted in despair.

Beth didn't respond to the other girl and ran out of her sight. Cassandra huffed out loud, and looked around, not knowing what to do.

But, at the sound of a bullet hitting one of the cell windows, Cass flinched, making up her mind right there and then to keep running.

The first place she went to was the block where people were being held if they caught the flu going around. Most importantly, Where Glenn and Salem were. She rushed in and ignored the air change as she jogged up the stairs.

"Glenn!" She shouted as the girl peeked into each room, looking for the man, "Glenn!"

The last room at the end of the hallway, she peeked in and let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding when she saw him. He was kneeled down, back faced towards her. When he didn't look at her, her breath hitched, "Glenn?"

At the sound of his name again, Glenn slowly turned around and revealed the sight lying on his lap.

Cassandra let out a gasp. "Oh," tears welled in her eyes and when the girl was about to step forward, she heard fast footsteps making their way over to them causing her to halt.

Cassandra looked over and saw Drew running over, "Cassie! Oh my god, we have to—" she started to shake her head but that didn't stop him. He reached for his sister's arm and looked at Glenn, back at Cass, then realized.

He looked back, at Glenn, and that's where he felt his heart actually fall out of his chest.

Salem was lying in Glenn's lap with blood all over her mouth and chin. Her chest wasn't moving up and down signaling that she wasn't breathing.

Drew's arm slid off his sister's arm in fright and stepped into the cell, kneeling down, Glenn tried to speak but he shut his mouth instead. He tried to save her but he found her to late.

"Sal?" Drew's voice is punctured, fragile. "Salem, Salem."

Drew gently places his hands under Salem's shoulders moving her off Glenn's lap and onto his own. He held her in his arms, moving the hair out of her face and behind her ear.

Cass watches, her hands over her mouth while she watches her brother completely shatter.

Drew stared down at her, pressing his two fingers against where her pulse was supposed to be. "No," he didn't feel anything, "No, no. Salem, please, wake up. You're okay," his fingers lightly across her pale skin, "You're okay, Sal."

Glenn looked up at the blonde standing above, neither of them knowing what to do. No one pulls him away from her. Shouldn't even try.

Then, they heard a yell, "Glenn!" It was Maggie's voice. Glenn noticed that right away, his eyes widening, "Maggie!"

He stood up quickly, sending him lightheaded. He nearly fell over causing Cassandra to step forward, taking his arm. She helps him walk to the stairwell where Maggie is.

Maggie grabbed Glenn from her, "C'mon, we have to go! Cass, come on!" Maggie shouted and led Glenn out of the cell block but Cassandra didn't follow. She wished she could but she knew she couldn't. She sighs and walks back over to the room where her brother was.

She looked into the room and saw Drew holding the lifeless girl close to his chest, cries almost like screams. Her heart broke at her twin. She almost wanted to puke.

Then, she heard another blast and she flinched knowing that they were getting closer. Cassandra sucked in a breath, "Drew, we have to go. I'm sorry."

Drew didn't say anything and knew what he had to do. He moved to sit up, picking Salem up in bridal style, and over to the bed.

He laid her down gently, and at the sight, he quickly wiped his tears with the back of his hand. Reaching into his waistband for his signature knife and framing it over her skull.

His heart was racing that it was all he could hear, his hands shook violently, and his cheeks were huffing and puffing.

The girl's fingers started to make movement, meaning she was in the process of turning.

Drew shut his teary eyes as the words she said to him echoed in his head. "I'm not afraid." I'm not afraid. Not afraid.

Not.

Afraid.

Drew plunged the knife into her skull, sending her hand limp once again. He let out a sob while bringing the knife out.

Opening his eyes, a tear slipped from his right eye and saw the blood shim down her forehead. His lip quivered as he stood up and took the white sheet off the top bunk.

He laid the sheet over her body and before he walked away, "I love you," whispering even with the continued voice shake, "I'm sorry I couldn't save you."

Drew smeared the bloody knife— her blood— on his jeans and put it back in his waistband. He turned away from the girl he loved and saw Cassandra standing in the doorway with stained tears.

His breathing slowed. Cassandra opened her mouth to say something but when Drew closed his eyes and shook his head, she closed it.

But then, he sped over, grabbing his sister's hand and led her out of the room.

She could feel how sweaty his palms were as they made their way down the stairwell, the faint sounds of gunfire and blasts from outside still.

Cassandra was Drew's responsibility now.

When the two reached the exit of the cell block, a blast came from behind them, causing bricks and walls to tumble down.

The brother and sister held hands but didn't speak. Not even as they saw part of the prison on fire and no one in sight besides themselves. Not even when their dog, Birdie ran over to them, blood splatter staining her brown fur.

The three of them walked into the woods, fleeing from the prison that was now filled with only walkers and bone.

( word count, 2150 )

i've been dreading the day i'd
have to write this.. but it's here. the time
came and i cried.
it's all about the ending (or haunting) of salem peletier & the ending explains
who cass left with <3

ily guys ! ❤️
#ripsalem #ripdelilah