A few days had passed since the group had left Hershel's home. Having no real shelter, the lot of them had to make best with what they had; each other. Every night they rotated watch duties. Daryl seemed to take the most watches and often stayed awake the longest out of anyone who was given the task. Mostly because he found that he couldn't find sleep very easily these nights. One particular night he had stationed himself off to the side to have what little of privacy he could to himself, but stayed within a watchful eye of the group as they all slept. His hands fidgeted with one of the last remaining bolts he and Nora had made, his eyes staring blankly at the wooden object as he stood in silence. He twirled the small arrow around in his fingertips as he thought. He couldn't shake the feeling that they had abandoned Nora and Andrea and that they were out there somewhere...All alone and provisionless.
Though Nora was a woman that could handle her own, the Redneck still couldn't help and feel like something horrible was going to happen to them, if it hadn't already. Afterall they were just two women. Not that Daryl was necessarily sexist, but he knew better than most that even the toughest of women still had their weaknesses. His mind kept stumbling onto his first memory of the Irish woman. She had barely been clinging to consciousness when he found her bleeding out in the woods. What if she found herself in another situation like that and he wouldn't be there to save her this time..? Daryl frowned at this, his brows pulling together as he tried to ignore his concerns.
"You're worried 'bout them aren't ya?" The voice of the Sheriff broke the silence.
Daryl looked up, surprised that he had not heard the man get up in the first place. His eyes searched Rick's for a moment before returning to settle upon the wooden arrow. He had no words for Rick. No response.
Rick shook his head, by know having gotten a pretty good idea on how Daryl worked. He moved to place his hands upon his hips as his head dropped to the ground, while he took a brief moment to formulate some words. When he lifted his head he spoke again, "Look, whatever happens or happened to them, Daryl...it isn't your fault." He paused. "They're both strong. The two'a them will make it on their own."
Daryl released a tiny breathless and humorless laugh, so softly that it was barely audible. "I know." His tone assured the Sheriff. He pressed the sharpened tip of the arrow gently into the open palm of his left hand as his fingers continued to rotate it. "Just...don't feel right." His head turned hesitantly towards Rick, as if he was not sure that he should be saying such a thing to their Leader. He knew that the Sheriff already struggled enough as it was with the entire group and their lack of support in the things he did for them. Daryl quickly moved his head from the man and shook it, his gaze dropping to his fidgeting hands once more. "But neither did Sophia..." Daryl mumbled this and though it was but a few words, there was so much that was actually being said. Not looking for Sophia had felt wrong to him. When everyone else had lost hope and wanted to move on, Daryl had refused.
The Sheriff frowned, his brows arching upward in an empathetic way as he looked upon the Hunter. He understood exactly what the Redneck had meant and he felt for the guy.
The Redneck glanced over to Rick. "Ain't much we could'a done. The whole camp was in'a tussle." His voice was empty as he stated this with nonchalance. "I ain't worried 'bout it." The typical Daryl attitude whenever he was incapable of unloading all of his worries and concerns with another individual.
Rick stared at Daryl in silence for a moment as he realized that this was Daryl's way of saying he didn't want to talk about it. Respecting the Hunter's wishes, Rick decided to bring up other matters. "That prison we saw yesterday...You think it'd be a good idea to see what all it has t' offer?" He tilted his head slightly as he waited to hear an honest opinion from the other.
"Could be a safe haven." Daryl admitted coolly, his eyes lifting to meet Rick's. "Or it could be'a death trap. Ya can't really expect'a place like that ta be empty. Place is prolly swarmin' with geeks." He pressed his lips together, his nose wrinkling slightly and his eyes squinting as he thought. "But could be a real good set-up if we cleared it." He moved himself from leaning on the tree and turned to face the Sheriff.
At this, Rick nodded his head in agreement. "I thought the same myself. Though, I'm not quite sure how the rest of 'em will react t' the idea." He frowned partially, his head turning to look at all of the survivors where they slept.
Daryl followed his gaze and stood silently for a moment before speaking. "They'll pull through..." This was the Hunter's first attempt at words of comfort. It wasn't much, but it was the best he could offer.
Rick turned his head to meet the Redneck's eyes. The two stared at one another in silence for a moment before the Sheriff averted his hues. The two stood there in silence for a while before Rick quietly seated himself beside the tree, placing his back against it. Daryl watched Rick for a little while as he did this, before he moved to lean against the tree again. All of the worries and concerns that the two men carried pressing hard on their shoulders as they spent the remainder of the night on watch together.