Jenner showed us down a hall where our rooms were, explaining things as we went.
"Most of the facility is powered down, including housing. So you'll have to make do here." Jenner flipped on the lights as we followed down the hallway.
"The couches are comfortable, but there are cots in storage if you like."
I looked through a doorway as we passed the room. It was simple but it almost looked like an office with a personal bathroom. It probably was, actually.
"There's a rec-room down the hall that you kids might enjoy. Just— don't plug in the video games, or anything that draws power." Jenner leaned down to their level, bracing his hands on his knees.
"Same applies." Jenner straightened, pointing at the rest of us behind the kids.
"If you shower go easy on the hot water." Jenner disappeared around the corner at the end of the hall and Glenn turned -almost like a serial killer.
"Hot water?" Glenn I pray to god you never do that again, or you may wind up being the victim of a headshot.
"That's what the man said." T-Dog smiled toothily.
Dear lord that is terrifying.
I am either much drunker than I realize, or they have a side to them I hope to never be on the receiving end of again.
I slipped into the room I'd seen, and dropped my stuff on the ground before laying on the floor; claiming it as mine.
It has truly been a rough few days.
After staring at the ceiling for...I am honestly not sure how long, I pulled myself up with more difficulty than I care to admit, and dragged myself to the promised shower.
Actually getting in the shower was a bit hazy, but somehow I wound up standing(?) in the hot water, and I couldn't think about anything else.
I never thought heated water could feel this amazing. Who knew, you could miss a warm shower so much.
I can't believe this time last year I was eating pizza in New York. God, I miss pizza…and ice cream— nachos, soft pretzels, bacon, strawberries. Damn, I think I've got the munchies.
That doesn't usually happen when I drink though...It happened that...one time, after I accidentally agreed to take something from that one kid at the fourth house.
The buck teeth...weird hair, and green shirt. Sam something.
I got out of the shower, threw on the clothes I sleep in —some of my more comfortable— and wandered out of my room. I've regained my balance enough to walk semi-straight.
At least I think I'm walkin' straight.
I wandered down the hall and waved drunkenly at Carol and the kids as they passed. They smiled back, not even trying to hide their giggles and I mock scowled at them, making the laughs more intense as they passed by and waved goodnight.
A few more steps and I was forced to stop by a wave of dizziness. Leaning against the wall for support, I took a moment to breathe deep.
Absent-mindedly dismissing what sounded like a raised voice, I began walking again but the second time, my curiosity was successfully captured.
A few seconds later it stopped and the door to my left slammed open.
Shane stormed out, completely passing by my presence like I wasn't even here. For a second I panicked that I might be a ghost before I hit my elbow on the wall and the zing confirmed I'm not.
Unless I'm a poltergeist...
A startling noise drew me to peek into the room and stare at Lori leaning against what appeared to be a ping pong table; crying, desperately pushing her hair out of her face.
Staggering in, I found her shoulder and as soon as I touched it, she flinched. Then hugged me.
I don't mind as much as I normally would have, she's sorta helping me stay on my feet but it brought an unwelcome nostalgia with it.
"Shh" I rubbed her back. I didn't mean to rock back and forth but it seems to be helping so I didn't try to stop.
She cried for what felt like forever before beginning to calm down. She'd been clinging to me so tight, the leather from my jacket was crinkled and I'm (almost)sure their are fingernail dents.
I —tried— to walk with her back to her room, thankfully it's not too far from mine, but a sense of perhaps misplaced pride swelled through me for only stumbling here and there.
"Thank you. For everything." she sniffled, giving me another hug. I hugged her back, smiling.
"Noo~ problemo. Any time" I can't really tell if I just giggled but God I hope not.
I watched Lori go into her room before trying my best to walk straight but I kept drifting.
"Now I know why walkers walk so weird. They're all drunk." I muttered to myself and unfortunately found it hilarious; laughing to myself like a lunatic.
"Shh, quiet" I shushed myself, as if I'm not alone.
I'm losin' it, man.
By some means, I wound up sitting on the floor in the hallway. My back against the wall. Legs stretched out, knocking the tips of my toes together.
Did I leave my room...without my shoes?
Maybe I should just stay here. I'm probably not gonna sleep anyway.
"What're ya doin?"
I looked up and to see Daryl staring at me.
Sweet cream cheese pie— he is enormous from down here.
"I was walking...but I seem to have failed." I answered, with a confirming nod, curling my top lip over my bottom and making a 'pop'.
"My lips feel weird" I pulled at my bottom lip, trying to look at it.
"I've never heard ya talk so much."
"What, what you talkin' about...I talk a lot." I defended. He scoffed.
"Yeah, yer a real chatterbox." His voice dripped with sarcasm and if I wasn't so intoxicated, I might've had a comeback for it, and at least a scowl or a laugh. A headshake.
"Come on. Get up." Daryl stretched out his hands and helped me stand up.
Déjà vu
"You're a nice person." The words slipped out before I could stop them, not that I'm sober enough to anyway, and Daryl looked at me like I'd just told him I ate a cat and puked glitter.
"How much did ya drink?"
"Umm…" That's a good question.
"3…4... a lot. But— that doesn't mean...i'ssss—not true."
"Yer never allowed ta drink again"
I stumbled down the hall, using Daryl as a crutch. He was borderline carrying me until we reached my room. At least I think it's mine, all these doors look the same but I trust Daryl handles his liquor better than I do.
Seeing as how he can actually, actually walk...and think.
When I finally got the door open, he helped me to the couch and I dropped like a sack of potatoes.
"I'm not tired" I rubbed my forehead with my hand and sat up.
"The Hell ya aren't. Go to sleep." he commanded.
"Yes, sir." I mock saluted and laughed at his expression. He rolled his eyes and pointed. Pursing my lips like a scolded child, I laid down and let my hands fall limp on my stomach.
After a few seconds my eyes had already closed of their own accord.
"Night, Eve" Daryl mumbled but I still caught it. At least my hearing doesn't wane when I'm wasted.
"Night Daryl" I mused somnolently. I'm amazed I didn't slur(That I know of).
I vaguely registered the door shut before I was out.
I awoke with a groan. Discovering I was on the floor, with my face pressed into the less than soft carpet but just comfortable -or tired- enough to not want to move.
A low moan outside the door and shuffling had me bolting straight up out of instinct, and my brain throbbed against my skull like I'd been hit with a brick after running a marathon.
I pulled my knife and made my way to the door, opening it like a monster in the closet from a horror movie, to peek out.
I saw Glenn shuffling down the hallway, shying away from the light like a vampire and relaxed. False alarm. He must have a killer hangover.
"Still on edge?"
I looked over to a smiling T-Dog coming out of his own room, and nodded. Soon regretting it as the throb moved to my temple and the base of my skull.
I think I cricked my neck last night.
I glanced at Glenn again. His eyes smooshed shut, wandering down the hallway blindly.
"What were you planning to do with that?" T-Dog nodded towards my hand. Following his eyes, I stared blankly at the spatula in my hand.
The fu-…Where's my knife?
T-Dog must've noticed my confusion and chuckled. "Man, you must've gotten real hammered last night. Come on, let's get some food."
I nodded -although it wasn't more than just blinking for a second longer than normal- and moseyed down the hall with T-Dog. My head pounding like the inside of a drum. At least it's a slow beat.
Let's hope that doesn't change.
We wandered into the kitchen/dining/party room from last night and I dropped down at the table at the first open seat, laying my head on my arms and letting the spatula clatter onto the table.
Glenn winced but so did I. I didn't expect it to be that loud.
People trickled in as the minutes past and T-Dog made breakfast, while Glenn moaned across from me about his hangover but I'm so exhausted I honestly couldn't care less.
After a while most everyone was up and chatting about hangovers in one way or another, while I was very nearly asleep again.
When I finally brought my eyes up, Jenner had just walked into the room. Daryl following him a few seconds later.
Several greetings involving daytime were exchanged before Dale finally said something more original.
"Dr. Jenner I don't mean to slam you with questions first thing."
"But you will anyway." Jenner predicted like a moody teenager as he poured his coffee.
"We didn't come here for the eggs." Andrea stated. Really? I did.
Jenner stared at us while he sipped his coffee before sighing and motioning for us to follow.
Do we have to do this now? Can it wait?
I nodded at Daryl when he looked at me, sort of our way of saying 'Morning' before standing up and trudging out next to him.