Dog
'Where's Mercer?' Eugene inquiry was met with a severe look from the officer with an even more severe buzz cut. 'Officer Mercer is a chief Official of Commonwealth, he obviously has better things to do than milk runs'
Eugene had only been attempting to make conversation, for which Officer Hard-ass Strosberg quite clearly had no interest. She'd arrived more or less on schedule; bringing food, medicine, some tools and seeds for Oceanside and Alexandria.
She was adamant about turning around the next morning despite Eugene's urging that a respite ad interim prior to resuming operation of a vehicle of such substantiality, for periods of unspecified protraction, would (he dared say) be in the interest of everyone on board.
'I'll be fine' she'd responded shortly.
Eugene said his final good byes to Rosita. Officer Strosberg looked a little surprised when he climbed into the truck with nothing except the clothes on his back. He was equally surprised that she'd raised no objection to having a dog in her truck. That was probably because the look on Daryl's face told her that was non-negotiable.
The re-appearance of the canine had caused quite a stir. Dianne was walking across to the front gates a couple of days earlier when she spotted Virgil with the belgian shepherd at his side
'Found him hangin' around the gates, he's been there all morning and he won't leave' Virgil looked perplexed
Dianne threw her head back with a laugh, 'That's cuz he's home...'
Seeing Virgil's questioning expression, she pointed over in the direction of the workshop. 'This is Dog?' Virgil asked and answered his own question, as the animal's ears perked up. Tongue lolling, he was panting with excitement, looking expectantly at Virgil for instructions.
Daryl was working on his bike outside the workshop. Connie was inside helping Eugene make spare parts for the water filtration system. He'd also been putting together a type of detailed manual on its operation for when he was gone. Coco was with their neighbor who'd offered to babysit for the day.
Out of the corner of her eye Connie could see a commotion. On spotting Daryl, dog had bounded over. He wagged his tail excitedly, licking Daryl and rubbing against him in a happy greeting which was returned with equal joy. Daryl drummed his chest and the animal responding by jumping up to have his ears ruffled and scratched.
As Connie emerged from the shed, Dog ran over, almost knocking her down. She laughed, cuddling and wrestling the animal affectionately; clearly remembering how Daryl used to tease her saying his dog preferred Connie to him.
Besides a few nicks and being a little gaunt, Dog looked to be none the worse for wear. He'd survived his adventures and they were surprised and very happy he made it back, Daryl most especially.