It was with bated breath that she followed after Rick, the only sounds in the dense forest were that of the twigs breaking under their feet. They had made it out of the city a while ago and were now following a well beaten path that Rick seemed to recognize. Honestly she hadn't wanted to leave the city, what if someone from her group was still back there?
The thought made her stomach churn, yet he had reassured her that if someone had been left behind he and those in his group would go back for them. That it was better to meet up and take a head count then to run around the city blindly. It made sense but damn if the guilt and worry weren't wearing on her.
Rick glanced at the silent girl from the corner of his eye, his gun hand raised and ready to fire at a moments notice. She was tiny, barely reaching his shoulders, and dainty looking. Yet the look on her face made her look so much older.
Worn.
Tired.
And weary.
Here she was barely a young woman with the weight of the world on her shoulders. It left a sour taste in his mouth.
"Don't scowl so much old man, you're face will get stuck that way." He gave a chuckle as a small smile broke out on his face. At least she still had some fire left in her, and he hoped to God that she never lost it.