The man, John Murphy Dixon or Murphy he insisted on being called, led them to a two story house surrounded by tents and cars. An RV parked to the side and a worn down looking barn looming behind the house. Clothes flapped along clothes lines and smoke danced from a dying fire but not a single soul wondered about.
Avis shuddered at the look of it but looked away to gaze up at the man leading her through the empty camp and towards the house. "Where is everyone?"
Murphy sniffed as he hauled the now unconscious Kendra up the porch steps and through the front door. "Yo Doc! Got another weak and feeble for you to take a look at," he snickers at the glare sent his way. "The others are out searching the woods for a little girl, which is what I was doing before I stumbled upon weak," he looks to Kendra before smirking at Avis. "And needy."
"I'm needy?" She gestures to her friend hanging limply from his shoulder, breath ragged and harsh.
He only snickers, a well aged man coming through an open doorway then, a bloody rag thrown over his shoulder. Two girls follow after him, one looking no more than 17 with platinum hair and an innocence about her that Avis hasn't seen since before the world went to shit. The other though was in every way opposite of the other, auburn hair cropped to the shoulders and green eyes hard and wary as she takes in the two new members.
"Murphy," The man grins kindly before taking in the girl hanging off him. "Who's this?"
"Don't know," Murphy drawls, rolling his eyes to Avis. "Haven't been able to pester it out of her."
"I gave you three chances," She shrugs.
The doctor hums, stepping forward to place his hand gently against Kendra's forehead. "She bit?"
"No, sick. She's been feverish for days now and can barely keep anything down."
He hums again, turning down the hallway and motioning for the group to follow before he turns into an open doorway. "Lay her down here," Avis watches nervously as Murphy does as he says and backs up to stand next to her. The doctor is checking Kendra's breathing as soon as she's down. "Maggie," he looks towards the shorts haired women standing at the doorway. "I need you to get an IV started please."
Avis bites at her lip nervously as she watches the women move around the room grabbing equipment. "Is she going to be okay?" The doctor looks up from where he's sticking a needle into the crook of Kendra's elbow. "She's dehydrated but she'll be quite alright. Just the common flu, nothing that some rest and a nice warm meal won't cure."
She almost collapses in relief, able to breathe easier now as she runs her fingers through her ratty ponytail. "Thank you," voice nothing but kind as she nods at the man and women standing at Kendra's bedside. "If there's anyway to repay you-"
"No need," The man interrupts gently. "My name's Hershel, I run this farm along with my family, my two daughters, Maggie," he motions towards the girl at Kendra's side then to the young girl still standing at the door. "And Beth. You and your friend are welcome to stay so long as you stay out of trouble which, looking at the both of you, doesn't seem like I have anything to worry about."
Avis didn't know whether to feel offended or not.
"There's others here, Murphy's group," Hershel motions to the grinning man who gives a sultry wink when he catches her eye. "They stay outside but you're welcome to stay in our extra bedroom with your friend for the time being. I don't want her out in the elements until she's well on her feet."
Avis huffs a laugh before she's covering her mouth as snorts escape her lips, earning herself an unamused eye roll from Murphy.
Hershel only sighs at his daughter's behavior before he's turning to his youngest. "Beth, could you show our newest guest to her room and bath. I'm sure she'll want to shower before dinner."
She's in heaven, Avis thought. Not only is she getting a roof over her head but a shower and a warm meal.
Beth smiles over at her with a wave of her hand motions her out of the room. Avis doesn't even look back as she's hurrying after the blond, ignoring Murphy's sarcastic goodbye as she does. She doesn't look around either as she's led up a set of stairs and down another hallway, to focused on the thought of a shower, the first one in months.
"Here you are," Beth stops, motioning towards the bathroom towards the right. "There's fresh towels under the sink and I'll bring you a clean set of clothes while you shower. Your room," she points down the hall with a smile. "Is just down the hall to the left. It's right across from mine."
Avis gives her a broad grin. "Thank you, Beth. I can't thank you guys enough for just taking us both in like this."
She shrugs, fidgeting with the sleeves of her sweater. "Right thing to do is all. Kindness can go a long way."
"Well," Avis mumbles. "You lot are like a golden ray of sunlight on a stormy day."
Beth laughs lightly. "I'll leave you to your shower," she trails off looking, eyebrows furrowed. "What's your name?"
She gives a grin promising nothing good as she holds up her pinky. "You have to promise you won't tell Murphy."
"Of course." Beth giggles, linking pinkies.
"It's Avis," She beams. "Avis Braxley."
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