Burn Burn [Daryl Dixon]

Passion Ignited [Chapter 32]

“You’ve been here for five days now, Alice.” Claire, the therapist stated.

“Should I be better by now?” Alice asked.

“Have you had anymore flashbacks? Nightmares? Visions?”

“No.”

“Is that because you are away from any triggers?”

“Probably.”

“What triggers them?”

“Music he played, words he said, people he knew, fire…”

“Fire?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Alice sighed, “He liked to burn things. He had red hair. He was the light of my life, shining so bright that he damn neared blinded me to everything else.”

“You resent him.”

“Wouldn’t you?”

“He did bad things to you, Alice. But you made choices to.” She began. “Now, I am not saying it is your fault that these things happened. You’ve made the choice to get help. How is the Prozac working for you? I’m glad you changed your mind about the medications; these are prescription, not harmful if you stick to the guidelines.”

“Well, like ya said, I haven’t had any flashbacks.” Alice smiled slightly.

“You know you can check out anytime you like.”

“I know.”

“Do you want to stay here?”

“No.” Alice sighed, it was probably going to cost her her soul. “I’m just scared to go back out there.”

“You’re brave, Alice.” Claire smiled, “And you can always come back.”

“I hope I don’t.”

“I hope you don’t either.” Claire was kind.

On her way out of the hospital, Alice turned the little yellow bottle filled with Prozac in it over and over in her petite hands. Half of her wanted to toss it, but she slipped it into her purse anyways and sat on the bench, awaiting her ride. While she had called Daryl, she had not gotten an answer from him or Merle. She presumed that they were out hunting or something, and she called Kendall instead.

The blonde pulled up in her brand new, sparkling Volkswagon Bug. Bright yellow, it was almost painful to look at when the hot sun beat down on it. Alice slid into the leather seat and put on her seatbelt. Before she could even say anything, Kendall wrapped her arms around her, comfortingly and tightly.

“I had no idea, Alice.” She sighed.

Alice nodded, “Neither did I really…”

“Chip is fine that you took off some time, and he said you can take off as much as you need.”

“I don’t even want to know what my medical bill looks like.” Alice almost laughed; she could never pay it off. “I’m going to need to go back to work, and fast.”

Alice spotted three vehicles in the Dixon’s driveway. The bike, the truck, and a Jeep. A bitterly familiar black Jeep. She nibbled her lip, clutched the duffle bag tighter in her hands, and then walked to the front door. She could hear their voices; they had aged, but their tones still sounded the exact same as she remembered. Judging.

She opened the screen door, and then the front door. Inside, the room smelled like smoke and burning wood. At first, Alice felt her heart jolt, but she only recalled Callie in that moment. It faded quickly, and she forced herself into the house. Eight eyes fell upon her, she could feel them before she could even see who was there.