When the dead roam - (Daryl Dixon)

Chapter 25 - That stings like a bitch

Lou placed her cracked palms against the graveled floor and pushed herself up from the hard ground. The skin on her arms had been sliced from the floor, leaving a bloody 6 inch gash her bicep and multiple slices on her forearm. She could already feel a lump beginning to form on the side of her head and her bright green eyes were seeing double. "Son of a bitch" she grumbled as she pressed the palm of her hand to her temple. It wasn't until she was balancing on her knees that she noticed Daryl lying underneath her "Holy shit are you okay?"

"Yeah. Fine" he stated as he took her small hand and allowed her to assist him up off the floor "Your arm okay?" They held onto each others hands for a little longer than needed before Lou cleared her throat.

"Just another day at the office" she said, wiping the dirt from her hands onto her torn jeans. "We should move"

Daryl nodded at the small woman, picking his bow up from the ground "Yeah. Lets go"

Lou kept her hand placed firmly over her upper arm whilst they ran, failing to stop her blood leave her system as it seeped through the cracks in her fingers. The crimson liquid had dyed her skin and she could feel herself slowly growing tired. No matter how quick they ran through the trees she knew she wouldn't make it back to Alexandria alive if she didn't sterilize the wound. "Stop here"

She propped herself up against an old tree stump as Daryl carefully tore the sleeve away from her shirt and doust it in alcohol. He left the bottle beside her, giving her full access to liquid if she should need something to take the edge of and thankfully for her – she did.

Her fingers laced themselves around the top, lifting the glass from the leaves on the floor bringing it to her soft lips. Blissfully, she let the sharp liquid slide down her throat and warm her muscles. A thanks was mumbled in Daryl's direction as she took another sip and tried not to grimace at the taste. "Why is it always you patching me u?" she smirked.

Daryl chuckled slightly. It was a noise she had never heard before and she had a feeling nobody would be seeing it again anytime soon. "'Cause i'm always around when you do stupid shit"

"Said the guy who told me to jump from a three story building!" she gasped, lightly tapping his shoulder with the back of her hand.

"This is gonna 'urt like a bitch"

"Just do it" she sighed, closing her eyes and anticipating the sting that was about to come. She gasped as the cloth connected with her skin and bit the the end of her other sleeve. "Fuck. That stings"

"Yer alright?"

She slowly opened her eyes and gazed at the white fabric that was slowly turning red. "Yeah, thanks – Hey kid, what's your name?"

"Nicole"

"Nicole. You can come with us. It's safe" she nodded at the teenager, a brief smile appearing on her face before she turned her attention back to Daryl.

"That better?" he asked, pulling the d.i.y bandage down her arm a little.

"Yeah thanks" she mumbled as he placed his palm over the material and locked eyes with her. "We should get moving"