I'm Not the Only One

Chapter Nine: Swollen

Back to Jade's pov
Ps super long chapter (:

I woke up in the early morning I suppose. Everyone was sleeping in the car. Except for Rick, who was taking watch on the roof of the minivan. The reason I knew was because I could see him out of the windshield of our minivan. The red minivan was parked about thirty feet ahead in the empty field we were parked in. The sun was rising over the forest trees making me believe for a second that everything was okay and that we'd all live full lives, yet I sobered after a second once I heard the distant growl of a walker.

Michonne was in the drivers seat. Tara had her feet up on the dash board while snoring in the passenger seat. Tom sat in the middle right with Daryl next to him. My legs were curled up to a ninety degree angle. I sat up and laid my arm where my head was once resting, which was a mistake. Carl jolted upright from the force on his leg. His eyes shot open and looked at me with great excitment.

"Jade," he whispered while doing that half smile that made a stampede erupt in my stomach. His eyes flashed with something I could never freaking place. He leaned in quick and kissed me. I hardly had time to respond before he pulled away, altered the position of his hat on his head and shook Daryl and Tom awake.

"She's up." The three of them turned and looked at me before the men opened their mouths rather loudly and began to ask a million questions. That ended up waking Michonne and Tara and turned around to yell at them, but they halted and smiled at me when they saw me.

The six of us got out of the minivan where I was bombarded with hugs and kisses on the forehead. Daryl talked loudly (so as not to attract walkers) to tell him I was awake. Rick waved to me as Michonne ran to the other minivan to get the others. I pulled Tara back and asked her if she said the thing I told her before I almost died... The thing about Sheriff. She said that she never told anyone. I barely had time to internally celebrate because Tyreese hopped out of the driver's seat (holding Judith) and hugged me.

Sasha, Bob, Maggie, Glenn, Eugene, Rosita and Abraham followed Michonne out of the minivan. Rick looked around one last time and jumped down to join us.

"Where's Carol?" I asked as soon as Rick was in ear shot.

"Right here," she said coming from he direction of the woods. "Took a morning walk, sorry. Good to see you, Jade." She hugged me.

We stood in a circle and looked around at each other. Eugene and Maggie both looked at me and said the same thing: I think I know what's happening to you. They eyed the opposite and directed their attention upon me when I asked them both what they thought was wrong with me. Eugene nodded at Maggie to let her know that she should go.

"I think it's something my dad talked about a few times. When you hit your head like you did it's obviously going to have some long term affects. You'll have headaches and you might black out sometimes. Hopefully it'll wear off, but uhm that's just my theory of what's happening to you."

"I'm no medical doctor," Eugene started. "But I agree with that. I don't think it's going to be long-term but we'll have somebody watch you closely for the next few days and make sure you're good to go. Maggie's right - you may black out again. We all pray that it gets better with time or it may be... Crippling if you run into walkers alone."

"Thanks for the sunshine, Doc," I replied sarcastically as I received chuckles from various members of the group. Sheriff took the moment to take my hand in his and intertwine our fingers. I did my best not to smile, trust me. But it was hard - I think I failed.

We disbanded after deciding we'd be back on the road in ten to twenty minutes time. Carl left for a second to talk to his father while I retrieved my bow and quiver from Daryl. I checked to see if my dad's dog tags were still around my neck. Yup. Daryl and I talked for a second before Rick called him over. I was confused for a second because Rick was talking to - one hand came around and shut itself on my mouth while the other picked me up. I screamed as the stranger hoisted me up, but I soon was relieved because it was only Carl, but don't you doubt that I was pissed.