Survival 101: With Vivian Bell

Chapter 3: Heaven's Got Aspirin?

Chapter 3 as promised ^^. This is dedicated to the very supportive and nice @fluffymeowcat 

xxx

SSC

“GATE!” Someone hollered from one of the posts above but Rick didn’t really bother to see who it was, his eyes were squinted at the pick-up truck that entered their prison gates. Rick hurried to the gates and opened them, the truck passed through, black tires crushing heavily against the gravel.

He parked the car and Rick approached the front, yet to notice the forms in the back of the truck, he was happier to see Daryl after a few days.

“Mornin’ Sheriff.” The hunter greeted after having climbed out of the vehicle. Rick grinned and nodded in acknowledgement.

“Mornin’, had any luck in the hunt?” He asked as he approached the younger Dixon.

He nodded “Aye, with a few surprises.” Anticipating seeing the sheriffs reaction Daryl nodded his head in the direction of the trunk “Check this out.”

Curiously Rick peered into the back of the pick-up, his smile fell and eyes widened instantly.

“Holy, is that a?” The dog stood up immediately, ready to defend itself.

“Aye, found ‘er and ‘er friend ‘ere in the forest, fendin’ off a couple’a walkers.” Daryl stated, unperturbed by the dog’s fierce reaction. Rick’s blue eyes wandered from the Labrador to the woman who lay beside it, still unconscious. He took in her drably, messy form and his jaw muscles clenched instinctively.

“Is she bit?”

“Nah, but the ole’man should still take a look, never be too sure.” The hunter stated, walking the length of the trunk and to its backdoor. He unlatched the lock and eased the flap down to a plank.  “I couldn’t jus’ leave ‘er, she was alone from the looks of things.”

“Its fine, we can find out more.” Rick assured placing a comforting hand to the man’s shoulder, silently telling him he did the right thing. Hurried approaching footsteps caught their attention, the dogs ears perked up in the direction of the sound.

“Hey Daryl you are ba—“Carl froze startled by the presence of the muddied canine on the vehicle. “Is that a dog?” He whispered in disbelief his blue eyes lighting up in wonder.

“Don’t startle him Carl.” Rick cautioned releasing his hold on Daryl to keep his son back; the lab crouched low and dangerously.

“Yea, she’s protective of the woman, figures we should show us aint meanin’ any ‘arm.” Daryl suggested not averting his gaze from the dog, something about Rick clearly kept the thing on edge.

 “I’ll take da girl,”

“Yeah you do that.” Rick seemed to notice the scorn in the dog’s stare directed at him.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

I’ve been unconscious before, several times when I first attempted to deal with the chaos around me. I remember each time I woke up, on a hard surface, aching from head to toe and usually to Luna’s hot repulsive breath.

But this time, it was different. I felt surprisingly warm and my back wasn’t in pain, in fact I felt like I was sleeping on a cloud. Heaven’s got clouds right? Yep that must be it. I had died and gone to heaven because such comfort doesn’t exist anymore.

I know I am being ridiculous, but what other possible explanation is there?

A sudden throbbing in my head dulled my enthusiastic mental ramblings, heaven’s got aspirin right?