O Negative
We made it to the city hours later by nightfall. There were several stops along the way to siphon gas, no one had very much left. I didn't think it would be this far, but it turned out we weren't using the same highway that got jammed, we had to find a way around that and get to another side of the city to where we were going.
Honestly, I forgot the destination. I didn't care too much either, as long as there weren't any dead people.
But the longer we drove through the city, the more we saw, just walking the streets. I rubbed my eyes, they burned and watered from exhaustion, I was hungry too. I had some crackers in my bag, but I remembered Carl said we should give them to Sophia. I wasn't sure if she had anything so I didn't want to feel bad for eating them.
I had the chocolate bar Daryl gave me, but I didn't want to eat that yet, I was tempted. I held it off as long as possible, hoping wherever we were going had food.
Lost in my thoughts I looked around in surprise as Daryl pulled the truck over. Daryl was staring through his window, I leaned forward to follow his gaze to a large building with large windows. The RV in front of us stopped and people were meeting up and getting out of their vehicles.
We were parked on the side of the road but still pretty far from the building, and on the ground between us and the building were a lot of dead bodies. I wasn't sure which ones were fully dead and which ones weren't.
Rick gestured toward us in a come on motion while he and the rest of the group, including Carl and Sophia began walking toward the building. I straightened myself up, stretching a little from the long ride, assuming me and Daryl were following, I reached for the door.
Daryl did the same, hand on the handle he turned his head in my direction and grumbled over his shoulder, "stay put."
Stay put
My mind and body froze at the familiar words, I stared at Daryl as I could feel the familiar feeling of panic welling up inside of me. I did my best to regain my composure but was failing.
"W-What?"
"Stay here," he said.
My panic increased, Daryl began climbing out of the truck but I dove toward him, grabbing onto his sleeve. "No!"
Daryl furrowed his eyebrows, staring at me with confusion. He looked down at my hand then back at me, as if waiting for my explanation. Heat rushed to my face in embarrassment, but I didn't let go. My bottom lip quivered when I opened my mouth to speak. I couldn't talk, I didn't even know what to say.
"What?" He asked, annoyed.
"I-I, I just, uh . . ."
"Will ya speak up, what is it?"
"I-I wanna go," I stammered.
"No, wait here."
"I won't talk!" I exclaimed, "I'll be good."
"I don't care if ya talk or not, got nothin' ta do with it. Can't have ya in the way if shit goes sideways." Daryl tried getting out again but I didn't let go.
"No, no, I-"
"-What's the matter with ya, I'll be right there!" he said, exasperated while gesturing to the building. He pulled his arm away and got out of his seat, my mind raced and I felt like I would cry again. He put his hand on the door about to slam it shut.
Trying to stop him, I stressed, "You won't come back!"
Daryl froze, squinting his eyes at me he gave me an odd look. He seemed even more confused than before and started shaking his head,
"Course I'm comin' back, it's my truck! Wait here!"
I opened my mouth but nothing came out. That hadn't made me feel better at all, but I couldn't form a response.
Then Daryl slammed the door shut.
The sound echoed in my head, I wanted to just push my door open and follow him but at the same time I wanted to listen. Kids had to listen to the grown ups, but where had that gotten me so far? Looking around at some of the corpses, which were still far away and maybe only one or two had noticed our cars, I'd almost prefer to stay. I looked back to Daryl, he reached the others.
As I was watching him walk away, my heart raced, not liking this at all. There were corpses on the road, still very far away, no where close but even within fifty feet was much too close for comfort.
The group walked toward the building. I didn't understand why I had to stay, and from the looks of it I was the only one told to stay. Whatever was going on, I didn't like it, it was unsettling.
I remembered back on the highway, Daddy reaching into the backseat to take out the bag he brought.
"Stay put," I remember being confused, I also remembered not thinking about it too much as he swung the bag over his shoulder and left. Then he didn't come back.
Daryl left
Why are they leaving?
I grabbed my head with both hands, pulling at my hair. After trying to sort out my thoughts through the panic, I decided I wasn't going to listen.
No way am I gonna die here.
Just as I decided to leave the truck, there was a loud banging on my window. I yelped, seeing a corpse pushing its face against the window. I turned to the drivers side, trying to scramble my way toward it to get out, but as I neared it I saw another corpse coming from that direction.
Where the hell do they even come from?!
I froze for a moment then, reached forward and pressed the lock down on the driver door. I turned to my door and did the same, hoping they couldn't break the windows.
When the other corpse actually reached the truck it banged on the window much louder than the other, seeming much more agitated.
After a few minutes, more corpses decided to join, trying to get in, that was when I crawled to the floor. I hugged the bag close to my chest, trying to hide myself under the dashboard.
Maybe I am gonna die here
I open the backpack and look for my knives, I leave the sheath in the bag but take one knife out. I'm not sure if corpses know how to work doors, I didn't think so. If they couldn't get through unlocked doors, I doubted they could get through locked doors. But that still didn't make me feel that much better.
The position I was tucked under the dashboard, I couldn't see the one banging on the drivers side window, but I could slightly see the one on the passenger side. I knew it could see me, it started banging harder, louder.
After retrieving a knife I went still, clutching it tight. Thinking maybe it would give up at some point.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when the corpse's head was smashed against the window, blood spattering against the glass. It happened again before the corpse fell to the ground, out of sight.
I shifted my body, getting out from under the dashboard. Daryl was there standing right outside the door.
I stared at him blankly, surprised he was even there.
Daryl banged on the door, "open it!"
I did as he said and he proceeded to pull me out of the truck.
"Let's go, there's a guy there. More Walkers comin'."
A guy where?
I held back any questions and followed him as we ran, noticing any corpses that were anywhere near the truck were now dead. I tried not to look at them as we ran past. I also noticed that some people were retrieving their bags from the car and Daryl had his own along with his crossbow.
Approaching the building I saw there was an open space that led inside, it was large and seemed to be able to fit a truck. We ran in, some people following behind us and some were already there.
The place was dark but the many windows provided some light. The walls and the floor were both tiled and well cleaned. There was a large circular desk to the right of the entrance, there were also a couple pillars. To be honest the place creeped me out. In the centre of it all was a huge, blue glowing sign, I knew it told me exactly where we were. But I didn't bother looking at it.
It didn't really matter where we were anyways, did it? What mattered was why. Why were we so quick to run in here? How did we know it wasn't full of rotting bodies that could, for whatever reason, walk?
I glanced behind me, wondering if going back to the truck was still an option. Then I looked up at Daryl, he was holding his crossbow, as if getting ready for something, but he didn't have it aimed at anything or anyone. I looked around at the group and followed their gazes to a man I didn't recognise.
He had light coloured hair that was almost reddish, he was holding a large gun though he didn't seem like he knew how to hold it. He wore a white T-shirt and he also looked as if he didn't belong here, the whole place was clean and new. Not that he was dirty but he looked run-down, tired.
He was looking us all over as Rick approached him, holding his hand out.
"Rick Grimes," he introduced.
The man glanced at him briefly before looking over us again, as if unsure. He took Rick's hand without looking at him, "Doctor Edwin Jenner,"
It was silent for a moment, then the Doctor walked forward, toward me and Daryl. The others in the group moved out of his way, I was freaked out for a second until I realized he was walking passed us.
He stopped at the door, leaning in close to a green glowing keypad. "Vi, seal the main entrance. Kill the power up here."
As he said that, the giant door began dropping down.
He turned around and walked passed us again, "follow me."
Most of the group did as he said right away, some others were more hesitant. I didn't take a single step before Daryl did.
I stayed as close to Daryl as I could without bumping into him as we all followed the Doctor. It was hard for me to keep up because I couldn't stop looking around. I didn't think I'd ever been in a building as big as it was, there was so much space and almost none of it was being used.
A minute or two later we were all crammed into a somewhat large elevator, it wasn't that big when we were all in it though. Me and Daryl were behind everybody at the back, the doctor was standing near the doors where the buttons were.
The elevator doors shut and it hummed with electricity. When the elevator jolted upward, I was so surprised I stumbled slightly, grabbing onto Daryl's sleeve.
I regained my balance quickly and looked up at Daryl, he returned my gaze with furrowed eyebrows. I cringed when I realized what I did and pulled away just as he nudged me away.
"S-Sorry," I mumbled, looking away and moving my hand to hold onto my backpack with both of them.
Daryl didn't respond, instead he leaned into the corner of the elevator, looking ahead.
"Doctors always go 'round packin' heat like that?" He questioned.
"There were plenty lying around, I familiarized myself. But you all look harmless enough." He glanced around at the group once again, stopping at Carl, "Except you, I'll have to keep my eye on you."
I saw Carl crack a smile and then put his head down to hide it. The elevator stopped a few moments later and the doors opened.
"Are we underground?" Carol asked as we followed him out.
"Are you claustrophobic?" The Doctor asked.
"A little."
"Try not to think about it," he dismissed.
We walked down the sheer white hallway and through an opening into another large room.
"Vi, bring up the lights in the big room."
The Big Room hummed with electricity, followed by some beeping sounds as all the lights came on. I squinted at the brightness. There were a bunch of tall white desks, work stations all around.
"Welcome to Zone 5," he said as he kept walking.
Everyone slowed their pace, taking in the area.
"Where is everybody?" Rick asked, "the other doctors, the staff?"
The Doctor stood in the centre of the room, turning to us, "I'm it. It's just me here."
Lori spoke up almost instantly, "What about the person you were speaking with? Vi?"
"Vi," the Doctor called loudly, "say hello to our guests. Tell them welcome."
A monotone voice sounded throughout the room, seemingly female, "Hello, guests. Welcome."
My eyes widened and I looked out furiously, trying to find the source.
"It's just me here, I'm sorry."
I wasn't entirely sure where we were or why, but I could tell by everyone's disappointed expressions that they were expecting more. Including Daryl. Maybe I should've been too, maybe even just a teeny bit concerned.
But I wasn't, there was only one thought on my mind.
The building can freaking talk.
The Doctor lead us to another room after that, another sheer white one. This one was full of chairs all facing one direction of the room, almost set up like a classroom but without the desks.
Daryl was standing against the wall on the farther side of the room from anyone else, I stood beside him, he didn't seem to notice I was there.
The Doctor has set up two chairs and a table at the front of the room with some kind of box. I watched curiously, not sure what was going on.
"Who's first?" he said, taking something out of the small grey toolbox.
Rick stepped forward, rolling up his sleeve. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as Rick took the seat in front of the Doctor, holding out his arm. I knew the Doctor was doing something, I could hear the sound of a wrapper crinkling but Rick's body blocked my view.
I glanced up at Daryl to see if he was as confused as I was, but he wasn't even paying attention. I looked around at everyone else, no one seemed to care that much.
A minute later, Rick stood up, rolling down his sleeve. He walked over to the chairs, taking a seat beside Carl. The Doctor placed something on the table that looked like a tiny bottle, a vial maybe, it was red.
Shane stepped up next as the Doctor tossed something in the waste bin next to him and then took something out of his toolbox again. Another minute passed and another red vial was placed beside Rick's.
The Doctor pulled a pen or marker out of his box and scribbled something on both vials. Lori went next and the same thing happened, when it was Carl's turn I was able to see more because of his small frame.
Because of the distance I couldn't see too well, but I tried my best. The Doctor unwrapped something again and fumbled with the object in his hands, He placed the object against Carl's arm and he visibly flinched, body tense.
The object being held against his arm started to turn red. When the whole thing was dark red, the Doctor took it away, proceeding to place another red vial on the table.
My lips parted, jaw dropping. Is that . . . Blood?
Hesitantly, I tugged at Daryl's sleeve. He visibly tensed and looked down at me with scrunched eyebrows as he always did.
"What's he doin'?" I asked.
Daryl relaxed, leaning against the wall again and turning away, "blood tests."
Blood tests? Okay well, you're no help.
I looked back just as Dale had finished his turn. Andrea went up and Jacqui followed behind her, caressing her back as they went. Andrea sat down and sighed in annoyance.
"What's the point?" she asked, "if we were infected we'd all be running a fever."
"I've already broken every rule in the letting you in here, let me just at least be thorough . . . Done."
Andrea stood, holding her arm, as she did, she wobbled a little and Jacqui hurried to her side again.
"Are you okay?" The Doctor asked.
Andrea nodded furiously and Jacqui spoke for her, "she hasn't eaten in days, none of us have."
Me and Carl had crackers this morning, I thought. The Doctor looked us all over and nodded in understanding as he placed another red vial with the others.
That was when it clicked in my head, he's taking the blood from our arms.
After Jacqui helped Andrea to her seat she took her turn.
"Hey."
I turned my head to Shane who was sitting in a chair a couple rows ahead from where me and Daryl stood.
"You didn't go yet did you?"
I shook my head. Shane stood up and motioned me toward him. I glanced at Daryl who seemed to be avoiding looking at me or Shane before stepping forward. Shane came close and put a hand to my back, I was expecting it but still cringed at the sudden contact. He lead me forward as Carol took her turn, Sophia standing beside here.
Me and Shane got closer and were standing only a few feet away as Sophia sat down with her arm held out.
"Mommy, do I have to?" She asked, holding on tightly to that doll with her other arm.
"I'll be gentle," the Doctor attempted to assure her as Carol nodded.
I watched carefully, noticing the sharp point as he pressed it into her arm. Sophia flinched and whimpered. I attempted to back away but Shane's hand was still on my back. My stomach churned at the sight of the blood filling the clear vial.
"There," he said, taking the sharp thing out of her arm, "all done."
The Doctor took something else out of his box and unwrapped it, placing it on Sophia's arm, I realized it was a band-aid when he removed his hand.
"Ow," Sophia grumbled as she stood, holding her arm.
Carol lead her away to the chairs and the Doctor looked at me, cracking a small smile. The smile did anything but ease my nerves. Before I could protest, Shane took the backpack off my one shoulder and placed it on the floor nearby.
"Now you?"
I shook my head, pressing against Shane in hope to get as far from this as possible.
"Come on, girl," Shane encouraged, his voice high, "you don't have to be scared."
"Nuh huh," I continued shaking my head. I was able to shrug Shane off, backing up several feet. The Doctor let out a small sigh and picked up something else from his box, he unwrapped it and put the plastic in the waste bin beside him.
He placed the object flat in his hand, holding it out for me to see, "You see? It's just a small needle, it will go really quick."
Shane nodded, "yeah, now-"
I looked up at Shane, trying to keep my face as fierce as possible, "-he ain't stickin' that thing in my arm."
Shane sighed, "look, we all have to do it. It sucks, I know. It won't take long at all."
Shane reached for me but I stepped back, shaking my head again. I was trying hard to keep my expression blank but fear and anxiety had decided to take over.
Lori had stood up from her seat beside Carl, deciding for whatever screwed up reason, she needed to involve herself. She crouched herself near me but to my surprise, she made no move to touch me or get very close.
"It's no different than getting a flu shot at the doctors, just a quick prick and it'll be over before you know it."
I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion, staring hard at her.
"It doesn't hurt." Carl said.
"Yes it does!" Sophia protested.
"It will only hurt for a second," Lori said calmly, "the trick is to not think about it. What helps when you go to the doctors?"
I blinked at her, switching my gaze from her to the Doctor, "huh?"
"When you go to the doctors," she explained, "when you have to get a flu shot, and you get a little scared, what helps?"
I was so confused, and it wasn't making me feel any better. My eyes watered and I looked at the door for a split second, wanting to bolt out.
"Shot?" I said, attempting to clarify, "shot? Shot with what?" I was becoming more fearful and she seemed to sense it. She began talking faster, as if panicking.
"No! Hon, I mean a needle, medicine."
"Medicine? Like . . . like cough syrup?"
"Yes, exactly. But that kind of medicine needs to be taken differently."
"Then why did ya say shot if no one's shootin' nobody?"
Her lips parted and she seemed hesitant to answer, "it's just what people call it."
I opened my mouth to question further, but Shane started to come forward, "see? There's nothing to be afraid of. Come on." Shane lightly took hold of my shoulder, pulling me closer to the Doctor. I struggled, trying to push away which resulted in him holding onto me tighter.
He was talking, trying to say something, but I began screaming. Thrashing around, refusing. There was no way in hell this was happening.
No, just no.
"Move!" Daryl said loudly, shoving Shane aside which resulted in me stumbling back with him. "I'll go." Daryl sat down and held his arm out to the Doctor.
The Doctor proceeded with Daryl while Shane kept his hold on me, I was trying to back up, trying to silently get out of his grasp but he was too strong. My breathing was quick and I could hardly keep up with it, my heart beat loud in my ears and pounding against my chest. The adrenalin and fear forced a heat wave onto me, not making my breathing trouble any better.
I kept looking away from Daryl's arm, and I also kept trying to peek at his face, hoping for some reason, he'd get me out of this. But Daryl wasn't looking in my direction, not even close, as if ignoring my existence.
And before I knew it, Daryl had finished and was rising from the chair. The motion made me jump and I was pushing against Shane.
"It won't take long," he said, trying to calm me as he forced me closer to the Doctor, "it'll be over before you know it. I'll be right here with you."
"No, he ain't puttin' a hole in my arm!" Once again, I had begun thrashing around, sounds of protest escaped my throat. I felt nothing short of feral and I was sure I looked it as I tried to get out of Shane's grip, clawing at his skin. And when the opportunity presented itself, I bit him.
Shane practically shrieked as he recoiled from me, holding his arm. I wasn't exactly sure where I'd bitten him and I hadn't thought of it yet, I hadn't even registered my actions.
As soon as I was released, I bolted. I wasn't aware if I was going toward the door or not and I didn't care, I just wanted further away from what was happening.
Just as I thought I was free, I was taken hold of once again. I didn't think about who it was and I didn't want to. I was turned around forcefully so my back rested against the person holding onto my arms tightly.
"Stop it! Just stop, calm down!" Daryl yelled at me as he held me tighter against him "Damnit, girl, it's just a needle, it ain't gonna kill ya!"
I lifted my head to look at him, I felt slightly calmer. He wasn't pushing or pulling, but just holding me firmly. This helped me relax.
I lowered my head, looking ahead at Lori and Shane. Shane was holding onto his wrist and staring at me, Lori turned in surprise to see her husband had gotten up to help, but she waved him off, signaling he stay out of it.
That was when the realization hit me of what I had done, making the fear and anxiety that much more worse. I wanted to apologise, hoping to quickly be forgiven but there was still no way I'd do what they wanted me too. I hardly understood what it was! I definitely didn't understand why we had to do it.
Acting out like this, fighting would definitely have consequences. I surprised myself greatly by not caring, they could beat me for this, fine. I deserved it, I wouldn't fight the punishment, the punishment was worth him not taking the blood from my arm.
Shane started toward me again and without thinking, I turned and clung to Daryl, attempting to hide myself into him. "I'm not doin' it!"
"Shane, stop!" Lori said, "you're not helping."
I looked up at Daryl, once I had clung to him he had let go of me. I saw his arms were raised and he was staring down at me with furrowed eyebrows, not sure what to do. I pleaded with my eyes, as far as I knew he hated Shane. If I needed help with this I would have to get it from Daryl, hopefully.
Daryl looked away, "She don't wanna do it she don't wanna do it, that's it. Ya can't make her."
I breathed a sigh of relief but still didn't let go.
The Doctor sighed, "This is what you agreed to, it's protocol-"
"-I don't give a shit, this is bullshit, none of us are bit. Ya got 'nough blood, don't need no more." Daryl told him.
"Toby," Shane said in a low, warning voice, "come-"
"-Shane, enough." Lori said.
I heard footsteps behind me and knew someone was standing there. I wasn't sure who until they spoke.
"Honey, can you look at me please?"
I didn't move or even indicate I had heard her. Lori put her hand on me, patting lightly, motioning for me to turn to her. After a moment of considering, I did so, noticing she wasn't yanking me toward the Doctor. I turned my entire body to her, seeing she was crouched before me once again.
"Honey . . ." She started again, a soft look behind her eyes, "don't you remember ever getting a needle from the doctor?"
I shook my head, "no."
Her eyebrows scrunched together, "what about-"
"-Daddy says we don' believe in no pansy ass doctors."
Lori's eyes widened and there was a long silence. I could feel lots of eyes on me but didn't look around to check. After a moment a loud, bellowing laugh interrupted the silence. Everyone turned in the direction it was coming from, surprised.
T-Dog was bent over in his chair bedside Glenn, clutching his stomach as he laughed loudly. After a couple seconds of laughing, he looked up, as if sensing everyone's eyes on him. His eyes widened and he placed his hand over his mouth, trying to subdue his laughter.
"Sorry . . . uh, I just . . . ah, " he cleared his throat, awkwardly, "sorry."
The silence was there again until the Doctor spoke.
"Has this girl had any vaccinations?"
Again, silence, but this time, everyone was looking to Shane. I glanced around, seeing if anyone understood what the hell this guy was talking about. No one else looked confused.
I didn't like this guy, we come here and all of a sudden he wants our blood? I found the whole situation weird and wasn't getting a good feeling, I was starting to understand why Daddy doesn't like doctors.
I looked at Shane as he began to speak, well, attempting to speak.
"Well . . . we, uh, we don't know. She . . . her, uh . . ."
"Her family isn't around." Rick said suddenly.
"Oh," Jenner looked over at me, then above me at Daryl, "you're not . . . I thought . . . nevermind."
I looked up at Daryl, who was glaring over at Shane. The look on his face made my stomach flip, his glare was almost as effective, but not quite, as Merle's.
I had a feeling they weren't going to let this go, they were going to make me do this. Though I wasn't sure why, even Daryl had said it was bullshit, but he had still done it. Looking around, no one seemed that hurt, so I was guessing it wasn't that harmful. I wasn't sure why I was so scared, I felt determined to not let this happen, but I guessed that my determination, while it wouldn't go unnoticed, would mean no difference.
My guess was right.
Lori continued to fuss over me, Shane was clearly annoyed but made no move to do anything, apparently me running to Daryl had knocked him hard off his horse.
Again it had crossed my mind that I wouldn't get out of this, I doubted Daddy would go with what was happening but Daddy wasn't there. It also occurred to me that Lori, maybe even Shane wouldn't quit badgering me until I had this done.
Thinking about the needle, fear once again hit me hard like a brick. I didn't understand why I had a huge problem with this, no one else had been as scared as I was.
What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I acting like this?
I knew very well I was acting like a baby, that was when the humiliation joined the fear, only imagining the trouble I'd be in for acting this way if Daddy were there.
"What if Daryl went with you?" Lori asked suddenly, "would you feel better if he held your hand?"
My eyes widened and I could feel Daryl stiffen behind me, even though we weren't touching. Shane was staring into Lori's back, looking appalled. I didn't understand why she asked me that, but thinking it over calmed me down some, thinking of Shane being there I could only picture him holding me down, this added to my agitation.
After watching me think it over, Lori looked up at Daryl, "Daryl, do you mind? I think she would feel safer having you with her."
Daryl didn't say anything for several moments, "why?"
"I don't think she will feel any better with me or anyone else. I wouldn't be asking if I thought she would be okay with one of us. Please?"
Again Daryl was hesitant, he sounded less than pleased, "yeah, fine."
My eyes went wider as Daryl began walking past me, without a second thought I followed close behind. We passed Shane, who was watching us closely with our arms crossed. As we got to the Doctor, I froze up, as if suddenly remembering what was happening.
The Doctor was unwrapping another needle as he said, "this won't take long."
Daryl nudged me into the chair and was standing beside me. My breathing got faster and my lungs felt very heavy in my chest.
I held my hands tight into fists on my lap, biting my lip as I watched the Doctor prepare the needle.
"You're fine," Daryl said gruffly, not looking at me. "just a lil' blood."
"What's your name?" The Doctor asked softly.
"Toby," Shane answered automatically.
Why does everyone need to know my name?
"Toby," he repeated, as if trying it out, "do you know your blood type?"
"Huh?" I hadn't planned on responding, or even looking at him as I sat there. But he caught my attention.
"Your blood type, for example mine is B positive. There are a couple different types, do you know yours?"
I shook my head, confused but curious.
"Would you like to? I have some testers available. We could just use some of the blood out of the sample I take."
"Do . . . do I gotta do it twice?"
"No, no, I only need a little. I won't take long."
He took hold of my arm and I flinched away, grabbing onto Daryl with my other hand. Daryl took hold of my hand and pried it off of him, but surprised me by not letting go. He was holding onto my hand awkwardly, holding part of my wrist and my palm, it was uncomfortable but I didn't protest.
He wiped my arm with something wet that looked like a white puff ball.
"Why do people got different kinds a' blood?" I asked quietly.
"That's a good question, it would make things a lot simpler if we all had the same, I'll admit. When you get a blood transfusion or transplant, you need to know your blood type because not all types are compatible. It's important. I'm going to start now."
I looked down to see he had the needle ready and I started to pulled away, "no, no, I-"
Daryl placed his free hand on my shoulder, holding me down firmly, but not painfully.
"-You get this done, never gotta do it again. Just, uh, don't think 'bout it."
"I'm thinkin' 'bout it," I told him.
"Could you roll up your sleeve?"
My teeth clenched together as another thing added to my anxiety and fear. Looking around, almost all of them were watching me in anticipation, only Shane and Lori were the closest, after Daryl. They would probably be the only ones to see any of the burns, but my fear of the needle greatly overpowered the fear of them seeing any scars.
"What the hell you lookin' at?" Daryl said harshly, "your starin' isn't fuckin' helpin'."
I looked up at Daryl, he was glaring at the others. I felt grateful as a few of them looked down and away from me. Daryl scoffed and shifted his position so he was standing in front of me. Our eyes met and his expressions was softer, but still looked annoyed. We looked at each other for a moment and it felt like he knew why I was hesitating, and not because of the needle. He gave me a small nod, and I brought my sleeve up with my opposite hand.
The Doctor took hold of my wrist and I cringed at the how cold his hand felt. He twisted my arm so my palm faced upward. I was watching his expressions closely and was it was easy to notice when he saw the burns. His eyes squinted slightly and he raised his head to meet my gaze.
"You gonna do it or what?"
The Doctor was startled by Daryl's voice and looked up at him, possibly a little scared. That made me feel a little better. I saw the Doctor's other hand moved as he continued with his task, I looked away and squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to watch.
"O-Once I get the sample," the Doctor continued talking and I knew he was watching me. His voice seemed weary and uncertain, I had a feeling he was trying to distract me. "We'll use something called the ABO typing system, it'll determine whether your blood type is A, B, AB-" there was a sudden sharp pain in my arm and I whimpered. I tried to squeeze my hands around Daryl's to help with the pain but he was still holding my hand at an awkward angle. The Doctor kept talking, "-or O. Your blood sample will be mixed with antibodies against type A and B, the different types have different antibodies."
I tried focusing on his words as he spoke, but I didn't process a single one, I knew not thinking about the pain would help, but it was impossible to ignore. I gasped as the pain increased and clenched my teeth together. I wanted to rip that thing from my arm but I was sure that would just hurt me.
"Done. That wasn't so bad, you did just fine."
I didn't look because I didn't believe him, for a few moments it felt as if the needle were still in me. But then the sharp pain subsided into a dull ache and I took a quick look to see him holding another white fuzz ball to my arm.
"Hold that there."
I did as he said, pulling my hand from Daryl's to put my hand over the small, soft ball. I wiped my cheek on my shoulder, trying to rid myself of the tears that leaked. I watched as he put the vial on the table and threw the needle in the waste bin. He reached into his box once again and pulled two more things out.
One was a squared object, he took the wrapper off and threw it away. It was white and had some shapes and letters on it. The other thing was plastic, it was almost shaped like a needle but I was sure that wasn't what it was. It was more like a narrowed tube of sorts.
He took the tube to my vial of blood and I watched in fascination as it sucked some of the blood out.
"This is the test we'll use, like I was talking about."
I watched him closely but didn't say anything, I honestly didn't understand or plain didn't hear the words he said. He squeezed four drops of blood onto the test, each an inch apart. After he spread each blood around, making a large circle with each one.
He kept talking as he lifted the test and began leaning and tilting it in different directions.
"Can I see?" Carl said, coming up in front of me. "Are you okay?"
I looked away from both Carl and the test, looking down in shame and embarrassment. I tuned out what most of the Doctor was saying, really just wanting to leave because I could hardly understand what he was talking about. But I was a little curious, and Carl seemed more than entertained with what was happening.
"Now we see, whether you are positive or negative by seeing if your blood contains the Rh factor on the surface of your red blood cells." The Doctor said. I could see his hands fumbling around in the corner of my eye, and although I was curious, I didn't look. I felt so embarrassed and bad, I wanted to cry all over again. In fact I was trying my hardest not to do just that.
"That's so cool!" Carl exclaimed, coming closer, "can we do mine?"
"You're blood is A positive, son. Same as mine," Rick said.
"Alright," the Doctor said, stretching the word out, I waited a moment, turning my head a little to look at him. "O negative," he said after a moment.
"Is that . . . that good?" I asked. He had a fake smile plastered on his face, my arm still hurt horribly, I wasn't ready to like him.
"That's very good," he replied, "that's a special type. People with that type are called universal donors, because it's compatible with any other blood type for transfusions or transplants."
I stared at him blankly, only blinking. I glanced up at Daryl, who was still beside me, but he seemed to have inched a little further away. His arms were crossed with his crossbow hung over his shoulder while watching the Doctor wearily.
"That means-"
"-Can I do it too?" I heard Sophia ask.
The Doctor looked at her as she came closer, surprised, "uh, sure. Let me just . . ."
He fumbled with the different vials, I guessed he was looking for Sophia's. After finding hers, he put hers closer to him and moved some of the others. He got another test out of his box and unwrapped it.
He picked up the tube thing, and somehow, for some reason, he reared his arm back, causing his elbow to hit the blood vials. Several clanked to the floor and he gasped. Blood was spattered and some vials were leaking, one looked completely shattered.
The Doctor dropped the test and hurried to the floor, picking some up and placing them on the table. Some were missing some blood, some now half empty, but otherwise okay.
He started down at the mess of blood and glass, he put his hand to his head in exasperation. He looked over at the samples on the table, then back to the one on the floor. A moment later he raised his head, staring at me.
"Please don't tell me that was hers," Shane pleaded.
The Doctor looked at Shane then back at me, "We may have to-"
I shook my head, standing from my seat and moving away. "-I ain't doin' it again."
"Fuckin' bullshit," Daryl grumbled.
"Man," T-Dog exclaimed, "I ain't even gonna bother if he's just breakin'em all."
The Doctor put his head down, rubbing his hand across his forehead in frustration as he sighed deeply.