You look over to where he paces, like a trapped animal. You want to go and take him in your arms, just hold him. Cos he needs it, he needs to calm down. He's really done now, you can tell. When he came back from his last foray he looked so awful, like he was going to pass out, right then and there.
You were going to tell him to slow down, take a breather. You were going to tell them all to stop for the night, mainly because he looked so bad. Tell them all to move away from the road a few yards, away from the water someone had left there – as a trap? You didn't know. You were going to figure it out, but you'd decided it could wait until morning. Rest had to come first, and quickly.
Then the storm hit and he saved you all again.
Everyone's settling down now, everyone but him. You made him angry, and you're not sure how, or why. But you know he feels trapped. He wants to be away. You want nothing more than for him to settle down, catch some sleep. He looks so exhausted, so ill. You're sure he'll fall out, and soon. Then what?
You get up and approach him, even though you're worried what he'll do.
"Daryl."
He startles, like he's forgotten you're even there, in the barn with him. He looks at you, and you don't think he even knows where he is, or who you are.
"Come over to the fire. It's late, you need to rest. We all do. This if far from over, we'll need our strength… C'mon…"
But he shakes his head, backs away. Retreats all the way into the shadows by the barn doors.
You don't follow. You know it's no use. He won't do what he doesn't want to do. And right now, he doesn't want to be anywhere near you.
