~Day sixty-two~
Daisy's voice quivered with fear as a resounding "No!" sounded from her shaking lips and echoed through the small, auditorium-esque room that the rag-tag group of survivors found themselves in.
Her tiny fists were clenched so tightly in front of her that her knuckles had turned bone-white, her whole body rigid with tension. Slowly, she found herself retreating, her back pressing against the cold, unforgiving wall of the room.
"I won't do it!" she huffed, frustration dripping from her words as she stomped her foot in defiance.
Dr. Edward Jenner, the CDC doctor responsible for opening the shutters, let out an exasperated sigh, weariness etched into the lines on his face. "Sweetheart, I understand your fear, but we must ensure your well-being. We need to examine your blood for any signs of infection."
"It's just a tiny prick," he reassured, gesturing toward Sophia and Carl, who stood at the back of the room. "Your friends have already gone through it. They can tell you it's not as scary as it looks."
Daisy glanced at Sophia and Carl, their faces radiating comfort and encouragement. Yet, fear clung to her tightly, clouding her judgment, refusing to release its grip.
Having witnessed Andrea nearly faint after her blood was drawn, Daisy Linette adamantly refused, shaking her head vigorously in protest.
Glenn stepped forward, his voice gentle yet persuasive. "Daisy, we were all scared, but we had to go through with this. It's for our safety and the safety of everyone else. Dr. Jenner knows what he's doing."
Daisy's gaze scanned the room, searching the faces of all the adults who surrounded her. To her, at that moment, it felt as though nobody was on her side.
"Come on, Dais," T-dog approached, standing beside Glenn. "You have to do it, little friend."
"Miss Daisy," Rick said, "everything is okay, it wont hurt."
Lori, Jacqui, Shane, Carol—each of them echoed similar sentiments, their pleas blending with their attempts to provide reassurance. However, their patience wore thin, evident in their strained expressions and rolling eyes.
Exhaustion and hunger gnawed at Daisy, intensifying her defiance and eroding her usually composed demeanor. With an uncharacteristic rebelliousness, she resolved to raise hell if necessary. That needle would not touch her.
To say she was merely cranky would be an understatement. She abandoned her usual coping mechanisms of fidgeting with her fingers or withdrawing into herself. Instead, she found herself in full-blown tantrum mode.
Her eyes darted around the room, desperately searching for an escape or a hiding spot. They scanned the nooks and crannies beneath chairs and desks, darting between the two doors.
"Please, Little D," T-dog pleaded, his voice filled with earnestness. "It'll only take a couple of seconds, darlin'."
Growing increasingly frustrated with the continuous stream of requests, Daisy's frantic gaze finally landed on Daryl. With a burst of determination, she hurriedly dashed towards him, her steps clumsy and uncoordinated. She hoped that he would act as a protective shield, guarding her from the intimidating needle.
Regardless of whether he would genuinely defend her or not, Daisy didn't care. In fact, she doubted he would speak up in her favor. Yet, with his crossbow resting behind him and his stern expression, he appeared the scariest person in the room—a figure she herself had found intimidating until their encounter in the terrifying, dark forest when his warm hand had found hers.
Surely Dr. Jenner wouldn't dare approach her with the needle if Daryl stood by her side, his mere presence radiating a potent mix of protectiveness and quiet fortitude.
Caught off guard by Daisy's sudden movement, Daryl instinctively reached over and placed his hand on her shoulder, creating a makeshift protective barrier as she clung desperately to his leg.
His intense gaze met the eyes of the other adults in the room, conveying a mix of concern, amusement, and defiance. "She don't want to do it," Daryl stated firmly, his voice unexpectedly gentle. "kid's scared, plain and simple. Aint no need to force her."
Daisy narrowed her eyes dramatically at the doctor, gripping Daryl's pant leg even tighter, silently daring him to try and make her comply. It was as if she was saying, 'Ha, I bet you won't try to get through scary Daryl.'
"Daisy, we understand you're frightened, but we can't afford to risk anyone's safety. These tests are important," Shane spoke up, his tone tinged with urgency and dripping with impatience.
Jacqui, standing nearby and gently rubbing Andrea's back, chimed in. "It's just a quick prick, sweetie. It'll be over before you know it."
"I'm really, really scared of needles," Dale added with a small cough and a gentle smile. "But I promise, it didn't hurt, not even a little bit."
But Daisy was no fool; she knew Dale was lying. There was no way an old man like him would be scared of a needle, and he was the first to volunteer to get his blood drawn.
"But I don't want to!" Daisy's voice wavered, her eyes welling up with tears. She clung to Daryl even tighter, her small frame trembling with a mixture of anger and fear. The adults exchanged sympathetic glances, realizing that rational explanations alone might not be enough to persuade Daisy. "You can't make me! I don't want to!"
With an aggravated sigh, Glenn knelt down beside Daisy and Daryl, his frustration evident yet tempered with compassion. "Daisy, we understand how difficult it is, but sometimes we have to confront our fears. It's how we grow stronger. And you're already incredibly brave."
Daryl's grip on Daisy loosened slightly, allowing her to meet Glenn's earnest gaze. Tears glistened in her eyes as she mustered the courage to voice her concerns. "But what if it hurts?" she asked, genuine worry lacing her words. Fatigue tugged at her, and she rubbed at her eyes with her free hand in an attempt to ward off tiredness. "Please don't make me, Glenn."
Glenn's voice softened as he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair away from Daisy's face, his touch comforting. "We'll do everything we can to make sure it doesn't hurt too much. And I promise, I'll be right here, holding your hand the entire time."
Daisy hesitated, her wavering resolve evident as she weighed the words of her friends and the support they were offering. She glanced up at Daryl, silently seeking his guidance.
Daryl's stern expression softened as he looked down at the frightened little girl. Though words were not his forte, his actions spoke volumes.
With a gentle squeeze to her shoulder, he nodded, silently assuring her that he would be by her side.
Summoning every ounce of her courage, Daisy took a deep breath. "Okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible as Daryl gently released his hold on her, and she reached out to take Glenn's hand.
"That's my girl." He said, gently patting her head.
And so, with determination guiding her every step, Daisy, hand in hand with Glenn, approached the chair beside Dr. Jenner.
"Please be careful," Daisy requested in a hushed tone as she settled into the seat. "When- whenever I go to the doctor, they always poke me a lot because they can't find a vein," she rambled, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "D- daddy says it's because I'm scrawny."
Dr. Jenner offered Daisy a warm smile, his earlier frustration replaced by understanding and empathy. "Don't worry, Daisy," he reassured her. "I'll be extra gentle."
With expertise and precision, Dr. Jenner prepared the necessary equipment, his skilled hands moving with practiced ease. His voice maintained a soothing cadence, a gentle melody aimed at keeping Daisy at ease during this daunting ordeal.
"Sometimes, it can be tricky to find a vein, especially in young ones like you," Dr. Jenner explained calmly. "But I've had lots of practice, and I assure you, I will be as careful as can be."
Daisy watched intently as Dr. Jenner adjusted the tourniquet on her arm, his movements deliberate and methodical. With a trained touch, he palpated for a suitable vein, his fingers gliding over her skin in search of the perfect spot. Sophia and Carl, who had already undergone the procedure, offered encouraging smiles and nods from their nearby seats.
Carl even flashed a double thumbs-up, his way of showing support.
As Dr. Jenner's gentle touch and comforting words began to alleviate Daisy's anxiety, a sense of trust began to blossom within her. She recognized his genuine care for her well-being, sensing the sincerity in his every action. Meeting her bloodshot eyes, he conveyed reassurance and empathy through his gaze, assuring her that she was in good hands.
"I'm going to count to three, Daisy," he said softly, his voice filled with gentle encouragement. "Take a deep breath, and let's face this together."
Daisy nodded, her determination resurfacing as she focused on his words. She took a deep breath, feeling the steady presence of Glenn's hand in hers, providing unwavering support.
Daryl, standing nearby, remained watchful, his protective stance offering reassurance. With her friends by her side, Daisy braced herself for what lay ahead, knowing that she was not alone.
"One," Dr. Jenner began, his focus unwavering as he carefully positioned the needle, its gleaming tip hovering above Daisy's arm.
Daisy's heart raced in her chest, an anxious thump echoing in her ears. Yet, she held her gaze steady, finding solace in Dr. Jenner's composed demeanor. His steady hands instilled a sense of confidence, gradually easing her fears.
"Two," he continued, his voice a gentle reassurance that carried a sense of calm through the air.
Daisy's grip on Glenn's hand tightened further, her small fingers intertwined with his, seeking strength and support.
"And three," Dr. Jenner uttered softly, his voice like a gentle lullaby as he pressed the needle into Daisy's arm with a precise yet gentle touch.
Daisy braced herself, steeling her nerves for the expected sting of pain. However, to her surprise, it was no more than a fleeting pinch, barely registering amidst her heightened emotions. Dr. Jenner skillfully collected the required amount of blood, his movements swift yet careful, an artist at work.
A sigh of relief escaped Daisy's lips as the needle was withdrawn, her eyes still fixed on Dr. Jenner's face. A smile of accomplishment curved her lips, a testament to her resilience and the strength she found within herself.
With practiced ease, Dr. Jenner swiftly bandaged her arm. "You did wonderfully, Daisy," he praised, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. "You faced your fear head-on, just like your friends said you would."
Daisy blushed, a rosy hue spreading across her cheeks as she nodded.
Stepping down from the chair, Daisy cast a small, triumphant smile toward Daryl, an acknowledgment of his steadfast presence by her side.
He nodded in response, a rare glimmer of warmth softening his gaze - his pride in her accomplishment evident.
The tension in the room dissipated, and the adults gathered around Daisy, their faces radiating relief.
Their voices mingled together, a symphony of heartfelt compliments that echoed in the air.
Shane and Andrea, however, remained lingering at the back of the room, their expressions somewhat detached.
Sophia, bubbling with excitement, darted towards Daisy, clasping both of her hands with an infectious enthusiasm. "We did it together, Daisy!" she exclaimed joyfully, her laughter filling the room. Her eyes sparkled with pure delight as she glanced at Carl and beckoned him over. "All of us, Daisy, we're blood draw buddies!"
T-Dog, his eyes alight with hope, turned towards Dr. Jenner. "Hey, Doc?" he interjected, a playful glint in his eyes. "You got any food?" His stomach growled audibly, betraying his hunger.
Yalllll I've been wanting to just write so badly, but my manager has been scheduling me for full time hours even though I'm supposed to be part time 😭
Like, almost everyday they got me scheduled 5:30 am to 3 pm, and then when I get home I gotta study for my summer courses 🙄✋️
I wrote this chapter on my phone, at work (I work in paint mixing, so i had time between customers lol), so im sorry if it isn't exactly polished. I just really, really had the craving to write and post.