Don't Be Scared

S2 E1 : 🔹 The Murphy 🔹 (Ch. 121)

10K didn't voice a noise of disapproval to my suggestion of resting for a moment as he veered off to the right with Doc and I. Our leader stayed ahead of us, going up the hill to investigate the unknown more. 

I knew she noticed our disconnection from the journey she had planned in her head. Warren was the most fitted for hand-to-hand combat right now if we come into contact with humans or zombies. 

The extra energy in her body came from the solider side of her. I firmly believe that a soldier never really stops marching even if they're shot down from their path; they still march in their hearts and in the afterlife.

I doubt 10K and I would be able to find the right direction for this kind of mission by only ourselves figuring it out anyway. Doc sure as hell doesn't have a sense of direction in his frail body. 

All the more reason as to why Warren should stay leading and we stay following.

"What is it?" Warren asked once she came back from scouting ahead of us, ensuring that nothing would do a surprise attack on our drained souls. 

10K removed himself from the left of Doc's body so he could make sure Doc doesn't lean forward too much. I can't catch Doc if he falls forward or backwards, not in my condition. If Doc falls on his front, then that'll probably cause more blood on my hands.

Literally. Our sharp shooter placed his hands on Doc's side, sliding his right hand in between Doc and I's close bodies. I felt the bones of his knuckles squeezed in the little space our medic and I had to offer. 

An odd shiver ran down my spine at the touch, confusing the hell out of me. There's no wind right now, so what was that? Ignoring the strange sensation running down my chest and stomach, I focused back on gradually bringing Doc and I to our knees in an execution position.

Once stable and not wobbling, I leaned us back onto our butts. The two of us grunted at the heavy drop we did, but hey, we made it. Not in the most graceful or pain-free way but we did it. 

Doc's groan in pain made my heart clench as he verbally expressed his distaste for the bumpy fall. 10K scooted away from in front of Doc so I could begin the examination of the makeshift bandage I came up with.

I'm not a professional medic, but I've watched Doc work on patients for three years; from Camp Blue Sky to working on the little scrapes me and the rest of the group gathered during our long journey on the road.

The makeshift bandage I came up with was Warren's favorite red rag covering the wound over the stained shirt. Not the best but it did it's job. When Doc got tired of holding it, I take over since it was on my side. 

I removed Doc's grip onto the fabric before peeling it away. Between the liquid and the liquid drying, the fabric had began to stick to the wound. Nasty but once again, it did it's job. My shoulders relaxed back from the tension pent up once I saw the bleeding had ceased for now. 

"The bleeding's stopped, but--." I started an update for Warren and 10K, but the man of the hour interrupted me.

"Just go on without me."

My eyes instantly shot up to the study his pale face, making sure Doc had really just said something negative or if the lack of water was making me delusional. 

"Shut up, Doc." I spoke almost immediate and didn't dare hide my disgust for the words, not liking the tone he was using for us.

Excuse me, Karen, but no one is allowed to give up. Not yet. Not Doc first. Our own little sunshine seemed so fragile and vulnerable in this moment as his eyes held worry and disappointment on top of pain.