World gone to shit. Might as well quit.
The words mulled over in his head again and again. Quitting wasn't an option; it was opting for the easy way out. As he watched the group sleep, Daryl realised that despite the best efforts of Rick with the group, maybe his little speech was needed. This wasn't a democracy anymore. People treated him like shit, and no-one wanted to step up to his mark and take over; Daryl least of all. Rick sat up slowly, grabbing his forehead as if he had taken a bullet.
"You alrigh' man?" Daryl said, flicking his knife over the thin piece of wood which was now shaping to be an arrow. The sun was lighting the sky a luminous blue. Rick looked at Daryl who looked like he hadn't slept in weeks. Hell, he hadn't.
"How long have I been out?" Rick took his palm away from his head and looked up above him to see the dawn sky.
"Couple hours, not long."
Rick nodded, his eyes trailing over the sleeping bodies to Lori and Carl who were as far away as possible from him. He sighed heavily. Daryl watched him; how his eyes told more than any words could.
"You think they're scared?" Rick asked as he stood up, making his way over to Daryl. The two men shared a glance.
"They've always been scared Rick," Daryl paused, placing the new arrow down among the others he had crafted that night. "'Cept now, they're scared of you."
"We can't stay here. We need to make a move as soon as it's light enough to see the roads." Rick stood and began gathering up his things. Daryl nodded and placed the arrows into a leather quiver he had made back at the farm. He swung the arrows over his shoulder and watched as Rick stood atop the old stone structure. Who knows what was going on in the guy's head; killing his best friend, carrying the secret of Jenner and the fact everyone is infected, not knowing whether he was the father of Lori's unborn child. No wonder he was starting to lose it.
The rest of the group slowly began to wake. Carol sat bolt upright and shivered violently. Daryl looked her over twice, deciding to leave her be. She was having nightmares about Sophia; mumbling her name every other minute as she slept. The woman had been through hell yet was powering on now more than ever. Good on her, she needed to learn to stand on her own two feet though; Daryl wasn't always gonna be there for her. His thoughts moved to Andrea. He wanted to go back, see if she made it. Damnit. He shoulda gone back yesterday, she might still be alive. As he stood, rocks grinding beneath his feet he whistled loudly. All eyes were on the 'henchman'.
"Hey listen up! Rick says we're moving out today, anyone gotta problem with that?" The group looked at Daryl, then at Rick standing stiffly on top of the rubble. They all turned and began gathering their things, ready to head back to the cars. None of them had the guts to say anything to Rick's face. Carol said she wanted a man of honor to lead. Then why the hell is she looking at me... Daryl thought.
The sun was high enough now to make a move. As the last of the belongings were thrown into the cars, Daryl waited by Rick to see what the plan of action was.
"We head north, there's a prison not too far from here, few miles or so. Can look for supplies and see how secure it is."
"Mm-hmm." Daryl said in agreement. Herschel looked at them both then at the women sat in the cars.
"We need to teach them how to defend themselves and your boy Rick." Rick looked at him, eyes fierce. He nodded.
"You're right, but first we need to be somewhere safe, somewhere where they can learn to shoot without being attacked."
"Prison's best bet then." Daryl said, looking between the two men.
"Alright then, let's move." Rick poured the gas Maggie and Glenn had found at first light into the red people carrier. The rest of the vehicles would be alright for now. Rick gently placed a hand on Daryl's shoulder, he turned his head. "I need you to scout ahead, okay?" Daryl nodded.
"No problem, take Carol with ya then." Rick nodded and the two shook hands before going their separate ways. Carol watched Daryl's face as he walked towards the chopper; he looked withdrawn, yet he still seemed perfectly content talking to Rick. Was he the only one not terrified of the man whom they've looked to as a leader for so long? "You're riding with Lori and T-Dog." Carol frowned, her grey, blue eyes clouding with worry.
"Wha- Why?"
"I'm scoutin' ahead, seein' if this place is alright." Daryl stepped over the leather seat of the chopper and kicked the bike of its stands.
"And you think it's a good idea? Going to a prison?" He looked up at Carol as she clutched her self.
"You got any better ideas? You may not like him, but Rick's the only person who kept us alive. Should count yourself lucky." Before she could reply, Daryl revved the engine of the motorbike and drove out onto the stretch of road ahead nodding his head at the others as he rode past.
It was the first time in a long time he could ride without being weighed down or being chased. It was kinda freeing.
Half an hour passed. The road had become gravel and dirt, and seemed to be leading Daryl back to where he started. Then ahead of the trees and bush, he saw the infirmary towers. He slowed down, taking a good look of the place. Little did he know how damn big it was. The sheer size of the place could home a town of people. There were no walkers in site, just two men resting on a watch tower overlooking the steel entrance gate.
A mile or so back the two cars waited. Within a few minutes Daryl returned whispering to Rick what the situation was as everyone else bit their lips.
"Well alright, you lead the way." Rick said keeping his hands on the wheel.
Daryl mumbled to himself as he stepped back over the bike. He rode off at a slow speed so the cars could keep up and as they approached the prison gates, there were more than just the two men watching them.
"Stop right there!" A booming male voice said. The cars haulted and Daryl braked, stepping off the bike. Rick slowly got out of the car and walked towards the gate and the men now standing on the other side. "What you want? How many of you? Any of you bit?" The man was tall, broad and looked like a prisoner. He had a tear tattooed beneath his eye, a sign of seeing someone die; Rick should have hundreds then.
"We need a place to stay for the night, possibly get some supplies. There's ten of us, and no, none of us are infected…" Rick held his hands up. Daryl kept both hands on his crossbow, but kept it by his side all the same. The tall man talked to the other men close by and nodded in agreement with all of them.
"You'll need to talk to the gov."