A warm breeze wafted through the trees temporarily cooling the sweat on her skin as she walked away, stretching the distance between them. If she looked back, Carol knew he would still be in the same spot. Same distant look painted across his face. Eyes still downcast.

It wasn't something she did much anymore. Or at all really. But Carol prayed that her words had reached him, and that by her leaving him, he would allow himself to go through the natural motions of grieving.

That he would let himself heal by really feeling the pain.

She had done it.

More than once.

Rick had done it too.

And now, judging by his recent behavior, it appeared it was his turn.

While there had been no helping her through her own pain, she would be damned if she wasn't going to try to help him through his.
Once out of sight, Carol stopped walking for a moment and leaned against a nearby tree. Her arms wound around her torso hugging her body.

"We're not dead" That's what you said...

You're not dead.

I know you.

We're different...I couldn't allow myself to...

But you?

I know you...

You have to let yourself feel.

Saying those words took more out of her than she realized, and she needed a moment to recollect herself. She remembered feeling her eyes shining with unshed tears as she stepped close to him trying to cut through the fog in his mind with her wisdom.

She was scared. They were all run down, tired, hungry, exhausted, and just freaking hot. Combine this with the impact of just having lost yet another member, and finding out about Noah's hometown only being a pipe dream - the danger of their condition was clear.

The group was at their most vulnerable.

This was the most opportune time for minds to weaken. And usually when one was at their lowest point mentally, there was no filter from the darkness that will inevitably creep in.

There wasn't much Carol felt she could do for the two women that were spiraling downward, but when she spotted the despair in Daryl's normally alert gait, she was unable to stop the overwhelming need to offer him comfort.

As she leaned against the tree, her eyes drifted upward towards the darkening clouds in the gray sky. For now, she did what she could and planted a tiny seed of optimism within him. It was up to him to if he chose to nurture it, and she would take a step back as long as he needed, but always within reach - just watching. Hopefully with time, if he let her, they can grow that seed together.

Carol pushed away from the tree, and resumed her trek through the brush, returning back to the rest of the group on the road.

On the way, she touched her fingers gently to her lips feeling the corners of her mouth quirk upward in the tiniest of smiles.

The taste of the sweat from his forehead still lingered.