A/N: I have to say, I firstly have a rotten cold which makes me feel less like a human and more like a zombie, so if things slow down, I'm sorry. I'll try and post a little mini chapter at least if I can't manage more.

Also, this story is plotless. I'm just doing stuff as I think of it so yeah... let me know what you'd like to see in this. Although if you want some Caryl action, that's pretty much out of it now (although, carol *is* still wandering around somewhere...). Anyhow, enjoy this and thanks for reviewing.

10.

Daryl wasn't sure what it was that made him wake.

He felt like he hadn't had enough sleep. Felt like his whole body needed more rest. His head was throbbing, making his eyes hurt as he tried to open them even just a little.

"Daryl?"

The voice sounded hopeful and scared at the same time and he pushed past the pain in his head to keep opening his eyes. Carl was beside him.

Carl was right beside him. Closer than the kid usually was to him. Closer than Daryl liked anyone being in all honesty.

He felt a weight pressing down on his chest and glanced down to see Judith sleeping on him. He couldn't quite understand what was happening and Carl quickly reached across to grab the baby off of Daryl's chest. In his haste, he caught the edge of one of Daryl's various wounds hidden underneath the fabric of his shirt.

Daryl let out a quiet hiss of pain at the shock of it and started to remember just what had happened to him to feel this way.

"Leave 'er," Daryl mumbled. He'd rather put up with Judith's constant weight than Carl meaning well and causing him more pain. Daryl's eyes slipped close, his head demanding some reprieve from the brightness outside. "Can ya get Hershel?" Daryl asked.

"He's not here," Carl replied.

Daryl eyes shot open again at that. Where was he then? Looking around he quickly realised he was in a car. "Where is everyone?" Daryl asked.

Carl shrugged. He wasn't sure what to tell Daryl. The truth? He wasn't sure that was a good thing for him to hear right now. The news that he was alone with Carl and Judith, stranded in a car wasn't going to fill the man with hope. "I'll be right back," Carl said, have taken a moment to check his surroundings and check the coast was clear. He was to the trunk and bought the bag that Carol had packed with the supplies Daryl might need.

When Carl returned he started rifling through the bag but had no real idea what he should give to the downed hunter. Seeing what Carl was up too, Daryl struggled to sit up, twisting himself carefully in the seat and move Judith so she could snuggle in his lap. In a more normal sitting position, Carl joined Daryl sitting on the back seat. "Let me see," Daryl asked as Carl handed over some bottles of pills.

Daryl found the strongest painkillers they had and downed a couple a ong with some antibiotics. He needed to be fit to help the kid out.

"I got a weapon?" Daryl asked.

"The crossbows in the back," Carl said.

Daryl shook his head. "Need somethin' a little easier. Reloading that's too hard right now."

Carl moved forward to the front of the car and searched around until he returned with a gun. "Here."

Daryl nodded to Carl in thanks, wiped his hand across his face. He felt awful. He could just do with going back to sleep. "What's the plan then?"

He knew Carl didn't have one. Knew the kid was waiting for him to lead the way, but in his current state, Daryl could barely think straight.

"I-I don't have a plan," Carl muttered.

"You're a smart kid. You come from good smart people. You just do what you thinks best. Believe me, if your idea sucks I'll soon be tellin' ya."

Carl nodded seriously. "Okay, it's going to be getting dark soon, so we need to find a place to stay. The car's not ideal. And it's too far to go back to the prison."

"Right," Daryl said, nodding slightly.

"Should I go off alone?" Carl asked, wondering if Daryl would make it and how Judith would be.

Daryl shook his head. "Good idea normally, but we have no idea how far away anything is. We stay together this time." Daryl did his best to be encouraging.

"What if we can't find shelter?" Carl asked, worried.

"We can cross that bridge when we come too it."

Although they'd been sent from the prison to stay safe, Carl figured it was best to try and start making their way back towards it. They had little protection out here. Being back at the prison had to be safer, then being stuck out here. "I'm going to see what supplies are in the back," Carl said.

"I'll help," Daryl said. He lay Judith down on the seat and followed Carl to the trunk. Carl took them out away from the drivers side of the vehicle. He didn't want Daryl asking questions about whose blood was covering the window.

Between them, Daryl and Carl picked the most useful supplies, leaving non-essential items behind. They took all of Judith's things, Carl grabbed the flares just in case they might need them as Daryl emptied clothes from his bag and packed some of the food in it instead.

Carl nodded down to the tree line just beside the verge where the car currently sat and Daryl started over towards it as Carl grabbed Judith. "Want me to take her?" Daryl asked when Carl came out with the baby in his arms. He wanted to carry her himself, be responsible for her, but then he remembered what Carol had said. About them protecting Daryl and Judith, and Carl knew he could do a better job of it if he wasn't carrying his sister. Daryl was still hurt. He might be on his feet but there was no way the man wasn't in a bad way still.

A distant explosion rocked the sky and Daryl and Carl both looked back to where it came from.

Back the way of the prison.

Maybe the battle was happening there right now. Maybe that was The Governor, defeating everyone they left behind.

Daryl and Carl's eyes met briefly. There was concern in both their eyes but there was nothing they could do.

They headed into the woods.

oOo

He raced through the prison.

Raced towards that breach in the wall he knew about. Knew that if he could get there, if he could make it out, he might stand a chance.

Might be able to find Carl and Judith.

He wondered if anyone else made it past that first blast.

oOo

Tyresse got back to the roadside just as darkness fell.

The car was empty and he let out a sigh. He checked the trunk and saw that whoever made it had taken supplies with them. He couldn't push on after them. Not when he'd left Sash and Karen looking after everyone else.

He'd have to head back empty handed.