Dixon's Little Sister

4. Hot Water?

Everyone practically sprinted inside the building, Rick was right about one thing, we were desperate.

"Daryl and Dawn, cover the back" Shane ordered
"We already are!" We hissed at Shane
A man holding a gun in a lab coat suddenly reveals himself "Anybody infected?" He demanded
"One of our group was, he didn't make it" Rick said
"Why are you here? What do you want?" The man asked
"A chance"
"That's asking an awful lot these days"
"I know"
"You all submit to a blood test, that's the price of admission"
"We can do that" Rick answered the man
"You got stuff to bring in, you do it now. Once this door closes, it stays closed"

Everyone hurried to their cars and brought in everything they needed, then rushed back to the main entrance. The lab dude commanded his computer friend to seal the main entrance and kill the power.

"Rick Grimes" Rick introduced himself
"Dr. Edwin Jenner" The man said, before we squeezed into an elevator
"Doctors always go around packing heat like that?" Daryl asked as we rode the elevator down, making me laugh
"There were plenty left lying around. I familiarized myself. But you look harmless enough, except you, I'll have to keep my eye on you" Jenner said to Carl. Carl's face lit up at the comment
"Are we underground?" Carol asked
"You claustrophobic?"
"A little"
"Try not to think about it"

He lead us into a strange looking area of the building "Welcome to zone 5" He said
"Where is everybody? The other doctors, the staff?" Rick questioned
"I'm it. It's just me here" Jenner said with a disappointed face
"I fucking knew it" I grumbled
"What about the person you were speaking with? Vi?" Lori asked
"Vi, say hello to our guests. Tell them...Welcome" Jenner said, he and Rick would get along just fine. Both had a thing for talking to automated devices.
"Hello guests. Welcome" A female computer voice said from above us
"I'm all that's left, I'm sorry" Jenner apologized

***

We were all brought into a small classroom-like area to get our blood sampled. I hated doctors the most out of anyone on this fucking planet.
"What's the point? If we were infected, we'd all be running a fever" Andrea questioned as Jenner took some of her blood
"I've already broken every rule in the book letting you in here. Let me just at least be thorough" Jenner told her
"All done" He spoke as the syringe clicked

Andrea mumbled something and almost tipped over before Jacqui caught her
"She hasn't eaten in days, none of us have" Jacqui said
"I'll take someone else now" Jenner said as Jacqui led Andrea away. Daryl stood up and sat beside Jenner, giving him his arm. I shut my eyes as the needle sunk into his skin, the red liquid filling the needle up.
"Thank you, I'll take you next" Jenner smiled at me, I sighed and sat down next to him, Daryl waiting for me by the door
"You're very tense, you ok with needles?" He asked
"Yeah. Just never liked doctors. No offence" I said, causing him to chuckle
"I was the same when I was young, until I made it my career" He said, preparing the needle
"Did you change your mind?" I asked
"Of course. I realized that I loved helping people and discovering new things" He said, placing the cold needle against my skin
"Just get it over with" I sighed, feeling the cold metal sink into my flesh
"All done" He said
"Thanks, good career choice Doc" I said with a slight smile

***

After all the blood samples had been taken, Jenner brought us into a room with a giant table in the middle of it. He started handing around food that caused us all to drool like dogs. I haven't had a proper meal in years.

I devoured my food, not paying much attention to the conversation happening around me.
"You know in Italy, children have a bit of wine with dinner, and in France" Dale said, eyeing Carl
"Well when Carl is in Italy or France, he can have some then" Lori countered, laughing a bit
"What's it gonna hurt, c'mon" Rick said
Dale stood up and poured Carl a small bit of red wine. This kid is something else.
"There you are young lad" Dale handed Carl a glass. Everyone waited in anticipation for his reaction to the alcohol
"Eww!" Carl said after taking a sip, which caused even myself to laugh
"That's my boy, that's my boy. Good boy" Lori said to Carl
"Yuck, that tastes nasty" Carl said with his face scrunched up
"Carl if you're not gonna finish that then what's the point in wasting it?" I said slyly, reaching over and taking the glass, gulping it down. Everyone laughed.