Heart of Dixon
Chapter 8: Mr. Sandman
I do not own the Walking Dead.
Another rewritten chapter. Nothing that much added here.
Robin's POV
We arrived at the CDC just as the sun was beginning to set. We pulled up alongside of the building, right away I knew our plan flopped. The CDC looked like a battle zone. There were bodies of walkers and soldiers everywhere. The smell of their bodies could even penetrate the RV. I gagged when Dale opened the RV door.
I shouldered my pack; I really didn't want to go out there, but I didn't want to be in this RV alone and I don't think they would give me much of a choice. I was the last one to the leave the RV and as soon as I stepped foot out I was attacked my several flies. Did I mention that I hate bugs? Well I do.
"Come on, Robin." Glenn wrapped her arm around my shoulder, "It will be alright, just try not to look at them."
I nodded at him, we joined our group. I was walked beside Sophia and Carol, trying to help calm the little girl. We walked silently so we wouldn't draw attention to any walkers, I saw several out in the distance but we would hopefully be inside the CDC before they even noticed us. Looking up at the CDC, I got the feeling that it was a bad idea. I kept walking any way, I was too tired to listen to my brain. I haven't slept since the night of the attack.
The CDC was closed down. Metal gates covered the doors. Shane, Rick, and the others couldn't pry them open. Shane beat on the doors hoping someone inside would answer but nothing. The place looked abandoned, but I did wonder who locked the doors. I shrugged mentally, they could have been locked a long time ago, who knew.
"There's no body here." T-Dog said defeated. Panic was on everyone's face now; we all knew the dangers of being in the city at night. Walkers got stirred up at night, I have no clue why.
"Then why are these shutters down?" Rick asked. So he was thinking it too. Maybe I was on to something after all.
"Walkers!" Daryl yelled, he grabbed a hold of me and pushed me close to the building. He made sure his body was in front of mine when he released his arrow in the soldier walker limping our way.
"You led us into a graveyard!" Daryl roared marching over to Rick. I got into the way hoping to stop him but he pushed me to the side. As tired as I was, I didn't stand a chance against the big guy.
"He made a call!" Shane yelled, getting into Daryl's face like it was the smartest idea.
"It was the wrong damn call!" Daryl retorted, not feeling at all intimated by Shane.
"Shut up, you hear me, shut up!" Shane pushed Daryl. I felt anger surge through me as Shane pushed Daryl, I was ready to get between them too, tired be damned, but Daryl shot me a look saying 'don't even think about it'.
"Rick, this is a dead-end." Shane ran over to Rick trying to reason with him but he didn't seem to be listening to anyone, "Do you hear me? No blame."
"Where we gonna go?" Carol sobbed holding onto Sophia. The poor little girl couldn't help but look terrified as she clutched onto her momma.
"There's a warehouse not far from here. We could sneak there." I suggested thinking now would be a good time to put my two cents in.
"It's too close to the hot zone." T-Dog reasoned.
"We're right in fuckin' in the middle of the hot zone." Daryl snapped pacing like a wild animal in a cage.
"We can't be this close to the city after dark." Lori hurried out.
"Rick, Fort Benning still an option." Shane suggested.
"It's a hundred miles in the opposite direction, how we gonna get there? We have no food and no fuel." I argued, "The warehouse isn't far and it isn't in the city. We could just lay low there until the morning and come up with a new plan." No one seemed to be playing any attention to my idea.
"125 I check the map." Glenn added.
"Forget Fort Benning, we need answers tonight, now." Lori demanded.
"We'll think of something." Rick said. Carl was now crying loudly drawing more attention from nearby walkers.
"We need to get out of here. Find that warehouse or an abandoned house. We're sitting ducks out here." I said walking over to Rick. I knew the man was already freaking out, but he really needed to calm down if he was going to think straight and get us all out of here alive.
"Let's just go to the fuckin' warehouse Robin mentioned!" Daryl yelled.
"We'll do that." Shane agreed.
"It's only five minutes away; it's a food canning place." I explained.
"I know the one." Shane nodded.
"Let's get outta here." T-Dog said.
Daryl grabbed my arm pulling me along with him but stopped when Rick suddenly called out, "The camera-it moved."
Daryl and I shared a look before watching the camera ourselves, it didn't move.
"You imagined it." Dale said ready to go.
"It moved." Rick said again walking closer to the camera.
"Rick, it's dead, man. It's an automated device. It's gears, okay?" Shane explained, "They're just winding down. Now come on!" He spoke with force.
I gripped Daryl's arm tight, "We need to go Rick. We're in danger here."
Shane was tugging on Rick pulling him away from the camera. Rick screamed, "You're killing us", making me doubt his sanity now. We were watching the struggle when the doors suddenly opened. White light shined out blinding us. Oops, looks like we owe someone an apology.
Rick was the first to go in followed quickly by the rest. Inside was so white and clean-so untouched by the shit outside. We all looked around as we huddled close. Even Daryl stood close with the group; his chest nearly was pressed against my back, his hand on my waist clutching my belt loop.
"Anybody infected?" A man called from the stairs yielding a very intimidating gun. He was blond and tall, maybe late thirties. He was skinny and pale with dark circles under his eyes.
"One of our group was. He didn't make it." Rick explained.
"Why are you here? What do you want?" He asked stepping closer to us, looking at each of our faces.
Rick, voice shaky, "A chance."
Maybe some food, showers, and somewhere safe to sleep would be cool too. I thought.
"That's asking an awful lot these days." The man replied.
"I know." The man looked at us again deciding. While he took us are in, I reached down to squeeze Daryl's hand. Please God, let us stay. I prayed. He tried to tug his hand away but I refused to let go at the moment.
"You all submit to a blood test. That's the price of admission." He said. As soon as we agreed, it felt like all of us let out a relieved sigh.
"We can do that." Rick nodded. Heck, I'd freaking kiss him if he asked if that was the price of safety. But I really hope he wouldn't.
He lowered his gun, "If you stuff to bring in, you do it now. Once this door closes, it stays closed." He ordered. He stood next to the door as the men ran outside grabbing what they could. Daryl told me to stay inside with the others, but I already grabbed my pack when we first walked in.
When the man had everything, the man closed the door and had Vi lock it and kill the power. We watched the gates come down over the doors. As I watched it lower, a stir happened in my 'gut'. Somehow we were going to regret this, I could feel it.
"Rick Grimes." Rick stuck his hand out to the man.
The man looked at his hand, "Dr. Edwin Jenner."
Dr. Jenner led us to an elevator where I was squeezed between Daryl and Shane in the very back. I forgot to mention how I hate elevators; it's all because of the first Resident Evil movie. All they were was metal boxes of death on pulleys. When it came to a sudden stop, I reached out grabbing both Daryl and Shane's hands. Shane winked at me making me mentally gag; Daryl ripped his hand out of mine giving me a scowl.
Finally it opened and it took all my self-control not to bulldoze over people to get out. I waited beside Daryl and when most filed out, I zoomed out and leaned against the wall feeling sick. Next time I would take the stairs.
"You alright?" Shane asked squeezing my shoulder. I rolled my shoulder making him let go. He didn't say anything about it thankfully.
"I'm fine." I said walking away from him to join Carol and Sophia.
"Are we underground?" Carol asked.
"Are you claustrophobic?" Jenner turned slightly to ask.
"A little." Carol admitted.
"Try not to think about it." Jenner said in an uncaring tone. Yeah, because that would help.
I reached over and squeezed her hand; she gave me a warm smile and a nod letting me know she was fine. I looked away when I felt a tug at my belt loop, of course it was Daryl. The man didn't like when I held his hand but he refused to let go of my belt loop. I rolled my eyes at him. I wondered what he would grab a hold of if I were to cut off all my belt loops. I couldn't help but smile thinking about all the other places he could grab.
God, I am such a pervert.
"What you smiling at girl?" Daryl asked gruffly.
"It's nothing." I smiled then asked, "Why do you always call me girl? My name is Robin. You could call me that or Robby."
"Robby is a shitty nickname." He grunted.
"Robin doesn't really give many nickname options. Well there's Rob…" I offered.
"Rob is a boy name." He said then thought a minute, "How about…Bitty?" He looked over to me.
"How about no?" I frowned; he gives me a nickname after a baby chicken?
"I've decided. Bitty it is." He nodded. He shot me a smirk when I narrowed my eyes at him.
Oh, just you wait! I'll give you a nickname that's just plain ridiculous.
Jenner first led us into a room filled with computers but no people. I didn't see any people on the way here. Where was everyone? Jenner mentioned a Vi, so why didn't she show up yet.
"Vi, bring power to the main lab?" He called, and lights turned on all around, "Welcome to Zone 5."
"Where are the other doctors-the staff?" Rick asked.
"I'm it." Jenner frowned, "It's just me here."
"What about the person you were speaking with? Vi?" Lori asked.
"Vi, say hello to our guests. Tell them…welcome." Jenner ordered.
From all around us we heard a robotic female say, "Hello guests. Welcome."
"I'm all that's left." Jenner repeated, "I'm sorry."
He walked away again, and then turned to us, "Follow me."
Jenner brought us in a large room filled with blue chairs where he told us to sit and wait for our turn for the blood test. Rick offered to go first along with Shane, Dale, and Lori. Of course Carl wanted to go first too so he would feel grown up. I gave him a smile when he volunteered.
As I waited, I sat beside Carol and Sophia. They were both afraid of needles. I didn't blame them, I wasn't too fond of them either but I wasn't scared. I know you shocked there's something I'm not afraid of. I went before they did. I laid my hand on the table for Jenner; he started to prepare my arm when I stopped him.
"It's got to be through the top of my hand." I informed him, "Doctors could never take blood in my arm, never could find the right vein."
"It's going to hurt." He frowned.
I shrugged, "That's the only way to get my blood." I laid my hand out to him, waiting. He went with it; he cleaned my hand then stuck the needle in. It didn't hurt that bad and I did have a high pain tolerance.
"What were they doing when they stuck the needle in your hand?" He asked. I don't think he really cared, he just wanted to make conversation. It was far too quiet in the room.
"I'm anemic. I had an episode a few years back where they had to get me three pints of blood. It's not as bad, I just have to take iron pills." I said.
He nodded curtly, "Alright we're done. I didn't take as much, so you should be fine." He pressed a cotton swab on my knuckles and taped it down.
I sat back down, fished out my iron tablets but found it empty. I let out an aggravated sigh. I remembered one of the main reasons I wanted to go to the hospital that day I met Rick, I needed more iron tablets. I haven't had any since then and with all that went on after that I complete forgot to get more.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Daryl glancing at me repeatedly. Once or twice he opened his mouth but nothing came out. It struck me odd, Daryl never seemed like the guy who struggled with what to say. The man was blunt when it came to conversation. I decided to end his suffering.
"What is it Daryl?" I asked.
"Nothing?" He grunted.
I shrugged and pulled out my book. I was finding my place when he spoke.
"What happens if you don't take those?" He asked.
I sighed, "I have a lot of dizzy spells, I might faint, I have a hard time breathing, sometimes get a bad headache, I have a hard time concentrating, and I can get really bad leg cramps."
"All of that could get ya killed these days. But not taking them won't kill you, will it?" He asked.
"If I just stopped taking them, my blood wouldn't be able to carry oxygen because it would be so thin that I could die. Or if I got hurt, I could easily bleed to death." I said, "I ran out of them days ago. I need to find more. If I'm lucky I'll find some laying around this place."
"So ya take them every day?"
"Pretty much, and whatever vitamin I can get my hands on. It helps to eat stuff with a lot of iron."
He nodded at that then walked away. What was that all about?
After Andrea almost fainted, Jenner led us to the kitchen where we made pasta. Jenner pulled out several bottles of wine and Southern Comfort. Daryl grabbed the bottle just as he set it down on the table. He sat on one of the counters across from me. I wished he sat at the table beside me that way I didn't have to sit beside Shane, who's kept trying to put his hand of my knee. I would jerk my knee out away from his hand. He refused to get how I didn't want him to touch me there…or at all.
Dale was pouring everyone a glass of wine when he got to Carl. Lori wouldn't allow him to drink it but Rick managed to persuade her into letting him there. I laughed when Carl's face scrunched up from the taste.
"Better stick to soda pop, kids." Shane said shooting a wink at me.
"Not you Glenn." Daryl said.
Glenn looked up with a smile, "What?"
"Keep drinking, little man. I want to see how red your face can get." Daryl turned to me, "You too, Bitty. Drink up." I got up to sit beside Daryl; I was having enough of Shane touching me.
I rolled my eyes but took a large sip of my wine anyway. I drank half of my glass, but Daryl refilled it fast, "Dear Sir, it looks like you are trying to get me intoxicated." I looked up at him with a smile, I was already getting tipsy.
"You can still say big words." He smiled lifting my glass to my lips, "You need to drink some more."
I drank another sip, "Intoxicated isn't really that big of a word." I slurred. I'm such a lightweight.
"Yes it is, and you said it again, so drink up." He smirked. I took a long sip earning a smile from him.
Shane stared at us with a mean look on his face. He didn't like all the attention I was giving to Daryl but I really could care less. I turned slightly to Daryl so more so I wouldn't have to look at Shane. Daryl gave me a little smirk when I got closer.
I heard a loud clicking of glass, "It seems we talked thanked our host properly." Rick said.
"He is more than just our host?" T-Dog lifted his glass. I, along with the others, lifted my glass as well.
"Hear, hear!" They cheered.
"Booyah!" Daryl yelled making me giggle like crazy. I laugh a lot when I'm tipsy.
"Huzzah!" I yelled! We cheered some more. Some yelled Booyah and yelled huzzah.
"So when are you going to tell us what the hell happened here, Doc?" Shane asked all serious. We quieted down to hear.
"All the other doctors that were supposed to be figuring out what happened, where are they?" Shane fiddled with his wine glass before looking over to Jenner.
"We're celebrating Shane; we don't need to do this now." Rick said.
"That's why we're here right? This was your move. Supposed to find all the answers." Shane turned on full dick mode, "Instead we find him." He jutted his thumb at Jenner with a humorless laugh.
Jenner said glaring at Shane now, "We found one man, why?"
"When things got bad a lot of people left to be with their families." Jenner explained, "And when things got worse, when the military got overrun, the rest bolted."
"Every last one?" Shane leaned back in his chair.
Jenner's glare was back, "No, some couldn't handle walking out the door. Some…opted out. There was a rash of suicides. That was a bad time." He voice broke a little. The room became dead silent then. Everyone looked down at the plates depressed.
"But you stayed, why?" Andrea asked.
"I just kept working, hoping to do some good." He explained.
"Dude, you are such a buzz kill man." Glenn said to Shane.
When we finished eating, Jenner led us down a long hall, "You can all take showers, but go easy on the hot water."
"Hot Water?" Glenn turned to T-Dog and I with a large smile.
"That's what the man said?" T-Dog said with his own large shower.
I ran into the first room with a bathroom and stripped naked. I was so excited to have a hot shower again. I squealed when I turned on the hot water. Sorry Jenner, but there is no way I could go easy. I wanted to take my time and enjoy it.
I moaned when I stepped under the shower. I took a long time to wash my hair then wash my body. I shaved my legs and under my arms. It was weird seeing all the brown water coming off me. I didn't think I was that dirty, but it felt so good to be clean again.
I waited for the rest to fall asleep before I left my room. I needed something to help me stay awake. I found the CDC's food stores. There were tons of sodas so I grabbed several of them. I grabbed a handful of chocolate bars too. I was on my way out when I bumped into someone. That someone was Daryl.
"Whatchu doin' 'wake?" He slurred.
"I wanted a midnight snack. What's your excuse?" I asked. He leaned against the door way with an almost empty bottle of Southern Comfort.
"Wanted somethin' else. Somethin' stronger." He replied, "But you should be sleepin'. You haven't slept good…in 'while. I seen ya exhausted. It won't help your 'nemia."
"Go home, Daryl. You're Drunk." I smiled at his worry.
"Bitty, I don't live here." He grunted, "But you still need to go ta bed. Now don't make me throw you on my shoulder. I'll do it."
"Alright, I'm coming. I'm coming." I sighed. I put the sodas and chocolate bars in my bag.
We walked to my room. He closed the door behind us and threw himself on the couch across from the bed. He opened up his new bottle of whiskey and downed a lot of it. I sat on my bed waiting for him to leave. I wasn't really going to fall asleep.
"You can go now, Daryl. I'm going to bed." I lied.
"I'll leave when you fall asleep." He slurred then took another sip, "So crawl into bed and go to sleep. Go on."
I sighed sadly, "I can't." I hung my head in shame.
"Why not?" He asked gruffly.
"When I close my eyes, I see Jacob. He's a walker, he kills the group. Kills you and then me last." Tears ran down my face, "I don't want to see it again."
Daryl got up and set down beside me, he pulled me into his arms, "He ain't coming back. I put him down, remember. He ain't going to kill you or me."
"I sobbed harder into his chest, "I can still hear the screams from the nightmare. I just want them to stop. Make them stop."
Daryl moved to dig something out of it pocket, it looked like a bottle of pills, "You need to take one of these. It's a Valium. I got it outta my brother's stash, thought you could use them. It will help you fall asleep." He said.
I shook my head violently, "I don't want to sleep. I don't want to hear the screams."
"Hey, calm down." Daryl grabbed my face to look him in the eye, "You won't hear the screams. You'll sleep and I'll be right here with you. Alright? Take one of these." He opened the bottle and shook it. He handed me one and cracked open a soda.
I took it without a fight. Daryl helped me lay down and pulled the covers over me. He turned off the lights; I couldn't see him but I know he got right back on the couch.
"You promise you won't leave?" I asked.
"I promise." He said.
"Thanks." I felt the pill already kicking in, but until I fell asleep I sang my grandma's favorite song when she was still alive not caring that Daryl could hear:
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream.
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen.
Give him two lips like roses and clover.
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over.
"My mom liked that song." I heard Daryl said quietly.
Sandman, I'm so alone.
Don't have nobody to call my own.
Please turn on your magic beam.
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream.
I fell asleep and it was the best night's sleep I've had in such a long time. I didn't dream about Jacob or hear any screams. This dream was nice. In my dream, I was being chased through the ones by the cutest redneck I've ever seen.
Thanks, Mr. Sandman.