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The drive to The Sanctuary was unbearable for Vada. Her head was throbbing, pounding harshly, worsening with each bump they hit. If the drive had been an hour before, it seemed like two hours now. She was exhausted, her vision blurred, doubled, and she couldn't think clearly. Unlike the ride there, it was silent aside from Negan's heavy breathing and the rumbling of the truck. She wanted to slip in the Journey CD and sing along, but it seemed as if every noise was intensified. Suddenly she was tired.
"You can't sleep right now, sweetheart, I gotta get you to Carson first," Negan licked his lips and trailed to the passenger's side, opening the car door for her. He had calmed down a lot over the hour long drive, but she could still see a hint of anger in his eyes.
"I'm tired," she sighed, clutching onto Negan's arm. He nodded and shut the truck door.
"You can sleep soon," he assured her. They walked side by side through the sanctuary gates and into the building. They then trailed through the narrow, damp halls, until finally coming upon large double doors. Negan burst into them, not bothering to knock.
"Carson. She hit her head. I think it's a concussion," Negan said, shoving Vada ever so gently towards the man. She stumbled towards the doctor and sat on the stool. Carson, who was messing with his supplies, rolled up his white sleeves and stalked over to her. He bent down and squinted, examining her eyes.
"Alright, can you tell me what happened?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest. He sent fleeting glances between Vada and Negan.
"I, uh..." she stumbled over her words, looking over to Negan for guidance. Carson shook his head.
"No, I want you to tell me what happened. Not him."
Her lips parted. "I, uh... well, there was this bookstore, and my friend and I just wanted to go in for a second–"
"You left your group?" Negan seethed, storming over to where she sat. "I told you to stay in groups of four. Not twos. That's what happens when you fuc–"
"Negan, if you could respectfully not interrupt me," she butted in. Negan clenched his jaw, biting down on his tongue to let her finish. If it had been any other time, he would have given her shit for talking back to him. But doctor Carson needed to know what happened.
"Anyways," she continued, "he was doing something... looking at books, I think, and then something smelled bad so I checked... um..." she squinted her eyes, trying to remember the events that took place. Her mind went blank.
"Yes, continue," Carson prompted.
"I checked a door? And then there was a walker, and... I don't know? I guess I hit my head. It hurts a hell of a lot, and I can't see clearly. I threw up."
