CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE || FOUR WALLS AND A ROOF

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"I'm okay. I'm okay" Alex assured through gritted teeth her face contorted by pain as Glenn pulled her jacket from her body, in order to check for bites. Panic coursed through his veins as he looked over the woman he loved for bites, bile rose in his throat. he'd just proposed...  this couldn't be happening. 

"Alex? Is she okay?" Eli called from across the room as he worked on helping Bob, trying to slow the bleeding. His hands clamped around Bob's wound as his eyes fixated on his Best friend. it was scary how things could change so quickly, hours prior they were celebrating, and now the fear of death loomed over them. 

"Yeah-" Alex grunted, The pain in her back causing a groan to slip past her lips as Glenn's hands ran down her arms checking her body for bites. Her vision blurred as she focused on Glenn's face, A expression of panic consuming him. The mixture of pain and adrenaline rushing through her body made it difficult for her mind to focus. 

"No bites! She just cut her arm from falling" Glenn announced as Sam rushed to get a bandage from Eli's bag, Alex looked up at Glenn shaking her head. The pain Shooting through her spine was overwhelming as she gripped hold of Glenn's wrist taking a deep breath in an attempt to control the pain.

"you're okay, I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere" He whispered softly in an attempt to comfort her. his brows Furrowed as realisation hit. the memory of her telling him about her injury back at the prison rushed through his mind as his head snapped back toward Eli, his heart violently pounding against his ribcage. 

"Eli! it's her back. what do I do?!" Glenn Panicked as he remembered the severity of her back injury replayed in his mind. His heart raced as he looked at the woman in front of him. Squeezing his wrist tightly, His hand going over hers, Trying to soothe her in any way possible. Her head back against the wall, her Jaw clenched as pain consumed her.

"Get her flat! Stabilise her spine. Do it carefully!" Eli ordered his hands glued to Bob's leg trying to Control the bleeding as he desperately fought the urge to run over to Alex. better be safe than sorry. 

"It's not that bad Eli, I just- just need a minute" Alex huffed watching Glenn frantically turn his head to Sam as he dropped the bandage to the floor. he rushed over to Glenn nodding. a mutual understanding between the two men. Glenn got up gently taking Alex's shoulders as Sam Helped him get Alex Flat against the floor. A Wince of pain left her lips as they lowered her.

"I'm right here Alex you're okay," Glenn assured as he crouched next to her, Panic Flooding his veins as His chest constricted, He hated seeing her like this... his stomach churned, nausea fueling him as he tried to control his own emotions. 

"I'm okay. I'm alright." She repeated shaking her head. She had to be. despite the pain, She knew the difference, She remembered the pain of her original injury. That was a pain she'd never forget, and this. Well, this didn't even come close.

"Rosita! Take over." Eli ordered looking over to his Friend in a desperate attempt to Check his best friend was okay. Rosita's face fell as she was ordered to look after Bob. But she agreed nonetheless. Rushing over to Eli Her hands quickly replaced his.

"Alex, what's going on?" Eli huffed rushing to Alex's side, The taller man towered over her as he lowered himself into a crouching position beside her Worry consuming his face as Glenn and  sam looked to him for answers.

"I fell" She hissed through gritted teeth her vision still not having returned to its normal state as she gripped Glenn's hand tightly.

"you've fallen before Lex. It's gotta be more than that." Eli knew the severity of her injuries, He was there through every step of her recovery. He knew the vigorous tests she was put through to continue working. it had to be more than a fall.

"The prison. After the prison. it started." She huffed through gritted teeth, The four men who surrounded her faces dropped at the realisation she'd been hiding the pain for so long. guilt formed in the pit of sams stomach as he realised she'd been with him, he should've noticed something was wrong.  

"Fucking hell Lex." Eli sighed a hand running over His face as he gently took ahold of her shoulder and hip before looking to Glenn.

"Help me get her on her side. Carefully" Eli ordered, Glenn nodded his worry evident on his face as he followed Eli's movements letting go of Alex's hand the two men gently got her on her side before Glenn's hand returned to hers.

"Sorry Lex it's just me okay? this might hurt" Eli explained, Knowing Alex's sensitivity when it came to her back.. and Ptsd. Pulling the back of her shirt up he ran his fingers down her spine feeling for any abnormalities, Rick's eyes Glued to his niece his Jaw Clenched in anger as concern flooded his veins. Eli's fingers followed the scar that trailed down her spine, her grip around glenns hand tightened as memories flooded their way back. 

"Okay okay" Eli shook his head as he gently Moved the girl to lay flat again, Glenn's eyes shot to his in concern, As Sam stared at the blonde man waiting for an Answer Confusion laced his expression.

"What? is she okay?" Glenn asked looking to Eli for answers. His voice laced with panic as Glenn's free hand went to the top of Alex's head gently brushing her hair in an attempt to soothe her. 

"The plates in your back Alex. They're still in the same place. nothings slipped. That's good..." Glenn felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders as he let out a breath of relief.

"but I can't check for fractures. If you're lucky, and it's what I think alright Lex? you could've just sprained it and with the added pressure of falling. it might be a pinched nerve. Which is extremely painful especially if it's between the plates" Eli Explained hoping His best friend's injuries were something he could treat... Something they could deal with. 

"If we can find some pain meds. We set you up, straight back. keep you off your feet for a day or so.. see if it improves.. otherwise, there's not much else I can do" Alex heard the huff from her uncle as he ran a hand over his face. This was exactly what Rick was worried about from the beginning.

"I'll go. I'll go find some meds. there's gotta be a pharmacy or something around here" Glenn panicked hearing Eli's last words, if he had to find meds he would, He didn't care about anything else. he could go on another run, his mind didn't even consider what had happened to Bob and what dangers lurked outside the church all he cared about was Alex.

"Pain meds? Like Oxycodone? Would that work?" Josh piped up Grabbing his Bag as he rushed over to Eli. All eyes shot toward the young boy at the mention of that drug. How did h even know what that was? 

"yeah.. anything we can use" Eli watched as the young boy pulled pulled a small bottle of pills from his Bag Frantically handing them to the medic.

"Get you on these. That should help with the pain." Eli examined the bottle before he opened it glancing inside he looked at the 5 remaining pills left within the orange tube as Glenn stared up at Josh in confusion.

"Why do you have those?" Glenn questioned in confusion watching as Josh's face dropped at the question, filling the Korean with suspicion. Josh's eyes diverted from Glenn's at the question, anxiety flooding his system.

"my old group. a guy used to take stuff like this all the time" Josh answered, His voice wavered as Glenn shook his head Not fully believing the young boy's story, yet he'd ask more later. his priority was Alex. Glenn turned his head back to Alex, Eli carefully helping her drink some water to get the pill down. Glenn's heart rate still not having returned to normal, The worry that consumed him made bile rise in his throat as he looked down at Alex, Her face contorted in pain. Seeing her like that, It felt like something was Chipping away at Glenn's heart.

"Just rest alright Lex. I'm gonna check on Bob. try and figure out what happened." Eli nodded before his eyes met Glenn's, fully trusting the Korean to look after her. 

"stay with her. If something happens we gotta get her out of here alright?" Eli warned knowing the dangers that could possibly be lurking outside the doors. Glenn nodded swallowing the bile in his throat as Eli got up.

"Eli" Sam stopped him As he went to walk away, Eli's eyes met Sam's concerned ones as he acknowledged the freckled man whose face was etched with confusion as the guilt remained within his stomach. 

"what's going on?" Sam asked unsure, Not knowing about Alex's past and previous injuries. Eli and Sam walked back over to Bob, Eli took a second to Respond. the memory of Finding Alex beaten in Afghanistan plagued his mind. A memory he wished he could forget.

"she sustained an injury during a deployment to Afghanistan" He answered bluntly, His Words came formally as he tried not to disclose any more details. Sam nodded Concern for Alex filling him as he processed Eli's words.

"you alright kid?" Rick asked crouching down beside his niece as she held Glenn's hand tightly, Just his touch was enough to bring her Comfort. She stared up at her uncle an unfamiliar concern filled his eyes as he offered her a small smile. 

"yeah, I'll be alright. Just wait for these meds to kick in. and hope Eli's right" She nodded biting back the pain, Glenn's thumb gently caressing the soft skin of the back of her hand Making her relax under his touch.

"Rest. I'm gonna find out what's going on." Rick offered his niece a small smile not wanting her to worry as he laid a hand on Glenn's shoulder, His gaze shifting to the Korean as the two shared a mutual look of understanding. there was no one Rick trusted with his niece more than Glenn, he'd proved himself so many times. 

**

Alex Woke up to a booming voice, Looking beside her Glenn was Gone. a soft groan of pain escaped her lips as she sat up, The shooting pain up her back having decreased significantly due to the pills, Yet they'd also left her feeling hazy.

"Well, I am trying to save yours. everyones!" Abraham's voice echoed through the church As Alex Slowly got up Despite the fact the pain was still there, the anger that laced Abe's voice didn't go noticed as the girl stood up.

"we're not going anywhere without our people," Rick warned, Anger lacing his tone. Pain shot up Alex's back as she limped around a bench heading toward the group whose eyes were Glued on the altercation between her Uncle and Abraham.

"Your people took off." Abraham's voice boomed, echoing through the church easily attracting more walkers to the area. Alex got closer trying to figure out what all the commotion was about. 

"they're coming back." Rick spat through Gritted teeth As Alex slowly limped her way to the group, Her brain slightly foggy as she tried to understand what they were arguing about, she'd thought everyone had agreed to go to dc together. 

"To what picked over bones?!" Abraham's voice Boomed as Sam Caught sight of her Approaching the group; his eyes widened as he walked over to her. Glenn and Eli both stood Close to Rick and Abraham ready to mediate.

Everything happened so fast, Her mind wouldn't catch up. Watching as Abraham shouted and the altercation grew, Both rick and Abraham lunged, toward each other. both Glenn and Eli rushing to break it up not wanting any altercations between the group yet it was already too late for that.

"Hey hey, Stop! Now!" Glenn yelled getting Between both Abraham and Rick as soon as they went to Lay hands on each other. Glenn's face one of Anger as he tried to meditate, Eli stood behind him.

"do you really think you're gonna be any safer leaving right now in the middle of the night?" Glenn Scoffed turning to Abraham, Maybe it was just the fact Alex's mind was Foggy due to the meds... But Glenn's flannel Shirt, his rolled-up sleeves, the way he got between the men without a second thought.  something was different about him. and fuck he's hot she thought.

"Alex you need to sit down." Sam scolded wrapping an Arm around her waist to steady her movements, pulling her from her thoughts. after noticing how unsteady she was on her feet. Guiding her to sit on a bench.

**

AN//

wooooo I've fully proofread now!!! and this is everything I've pre-written out I'm so excited for the Alexandria era... 

be ready for more plot twists guys...

ily all