I Love You So

Part 27

Amanda slept for the majority of the next day. She was burning up with a fever. She had an infection in the wound on her stomach from the man sticking his finger in.

Rick glanced back at Amanda in the rear view mirror. He exhaled nervously as he examined her pale features, "There's a creek nearby, let's stop and clean ourselves up, maybe see if we can catch some fish." Rick said as he parked the car. Rick walked over to the backseat and opened Amanda's door, "Hey." He said softly as he rubbed her thighs

Amanda eyes rolled back as she lifted her head up, "mm?" she mumbled, hissing in pain as she sat up, "what's up?" she asked softly, "is Carl okay?" She asked worriedly

Rick couldn't help but smile at her, "He's fine, he's with Michonne catching fish." He said, "You look like shit." Rick said as he lifted up the bottom of her shirt, looking at her stitches that were red and slightly swollen, "We need to get you some antibiotics." Rick said, "There's a hospital nearby, Michonne and I are gonna go see if we can find anything." He said

"No." Amanda said, "Hospitals are probably overrun. No." Amanda said, "I'm fine." She said, laying her head back down against the headrest, "I just need to sleep."

"You're gonna sleep out an infection?" Rick asked, his voice sounding irritated

"I can try like hell." Amanda said, "Why don't you go yell at Carl? He's playing with Maverick. I know how much it bothers you when a dog is the center of attention and not you."

Rick inhaled sharply, "I was upset, I'm sorry." Rick said gently, "I didn't mean to yell at you." He apologized

Amanda nodded, "I get it." She said, closing her eyes

Rick touched her forehead, "Amanda you're burning up. Get inside the creek." He said

"No." Amanda said

"Amanda." Rick said warningly

"No." Amanda said again

Rick exhaled deeply as he picked her up. He peeled off her jacket and carried her over to the creek. He looked down, concerned that she wasn't fighting back. He laid her down and gently dipped her hair into the water, "Carl, I need you to stay with Amanda. Watch her. You're in charge. Michonne and I are going to the local hospital. Gonna see if they've got medicine for her." Rick said, stroking her wet hair

Carl nodded, eager to take on some responsibility, "I can do that." Carl said, "I think there's a cabin down the road, we can stay there." Carl said

Rick nodded, "good eye, i'll go clear it out. Michonne, can you take over?" He asked

Michonne walked over and crouched down by Amanda, "It's gonna be okay." She said softly as she put a rag into the water and placed it on Amanda's forehead.

"Can I drive the truck over to the cabin?" Carl asked

"Ah... Sure, I guess." Rick exhaled. Carl had only driven a handful of times, and he figured there wasn't much room for error in an empty field. Rick jogged over to the cabin and knocked on the door. He opened the door and walked inside, examining the place that looked essentially untouched. He glanced out the window and saw Carl driving the truck over.
Michonne and Amanda were in the bed of the truck.

Rick jogged over, picking Amanda out the back, "How long she been out?" He asked worriedly

"In and out for like 2 minutes." Michonne said

"We gotta move." Rick said as he carried her inside, "Carl, unload what we've got in the car. Use maverick to keep watch, he'll let you know when something's going on. We'll be back before sun down." Rick said as he laid Amanda down on the futon in the living room.