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Just An Average Day On The Job

The morning was calm when I woke up, Sophia's doll gripped in my fist as my eyes fluttered open. The extra comfort was nice, but I thought now I needed to get over it. My family was safe, we beat the Saviors and now we could really live. That was enough to snap me out of my strange daze. The crease between my eyebrows had been constant, even in my sleep. I had to remind myself that I was changing, this world was changing me but I could change back. Bottom line, I knew killing people was wrong. Sometimes, we have to do it, but when it starts getting easier I should put my gun down and think about what Carl told me.

Speaking of Carl, I turned my body around when I heard him push the door open.

"You hungry?" He sat on the other side of the bed, an apple in his hand. I shuffled into a sitting position and took it, biting through the shining red surface. "I think you should take it easy today, chill out a bit, maybe get some more sleep?"

I shook my head, swallowing the food in my mouth. "I'll be fine. There's still a lot to do, besides, I don't like being lazy." I stated.

"Okay...well, maybe you should see Rosita. She's kinda worried about you." He offered. I frowned slightly. Me and Rosita weren't particularly close, but we did spend a lot of time in the infirmary together. We seemed to have an understanding, something in common. We were always underestimated.

"Sure. I'm just gonna shower first." I placed the apple down, pulling the sheet back and plodding to the bathroom. A change of clothes felt nice, not to mention the warm water running through my hair. My stitches held well and I stuck a new bandage on when I hopped out. When my eyes went to the steamed up mirror, I noticed a bloom of purple bruises along my chest and I winced, realising it was from the kick back of the gun when I shot Paula. My fingertips skimmed them lightly, feeling a small but manageable sting.

I sighed sadly when I inspected my jacket. There was a tear in the shoulder that needed fixing, but other than that it was okay. I shrugged it over me, brushing my hair into a knot at the back of my head.

I paused when I heard a faint whimpering from the next room, frowning as I peeked through the door. Judith was bouncing in her crib, her face crumpled as she cried. I took her into my arms and rested her on my hip, shifting the hair from her face. My fingers skimmed her forehead and my eyebrows furrowed when I realised she was feeling quite warm. Maybe that's why she was crying.

"Hey, Judy. Wanna go for a walk?" I grabbed a cardigan from the nearest chair and draped it over her, taking her down the stairs and out the door.

I greeted Denise and Rosita as I stepped in the infirmary, placing Judith down on a clean bed. I rummaged through a cupboard until I found a thermometer, taking her temperature despite her resistance.

"She okay?" Denise wandered over, concern in her features.

"She's just a little warm, could be a fever. We got anything for it?" I replied, trying to relax the squirming baby.

"We're all out of pretty much everything. I know a place we could check out, there might be some meds for her there." Denise scratched her head in thought. I tossed the thermometer onto a table, holding Judith closely.

"Okay, we'll check it out." I agreed, but Rosita interrupted.

"You stay, I'll go." She insisted, a hand already prepared on her knife belt.

I started to protest. "Denise is the best doctor here, I should protect her."

"I'll be fine. I'll-I'll ask Daryl." She offered, pushing her glasses up. I reluctantly nodded, the concern still evident on my face as she left to find him. I didn't like Denise going out there, but she was the only person who could identify the medication. I felt a little better knowing Daryl and Rosita would be out there with her.