Forgot to put this before: I don't own the Walking Dead. :(
Chapter 4
Shane watched as Hershel began to work. He wondered if he should sit by and watch. Then Hershel was saying something, "Shane would you get a wet towel and try to wipe some of the blood off of him?" Shane nodded and began to slowly clean the blood off of the kid's face. He avoided as many of the slashes as he could because he knew it would hurt the kid if he messed with them. Once Hershel had a clear view of the cuts and marks he told Shane he could go. "Shane, this kid is your responsibility though. As soon as he is up you're coming back up here," Hershel said as Shane headed out the door. Shane nodded and shut the door softly. He went outside and leaned against the same wall he had two mornings ago. The door opened but it wasn't Carol who came out, it was Glenn. "Hey Shane, how's the kid?" he asked. "I don't know. I guess as bad as you can get without being a walker or being dead," Shane said. Glenn nodded and stood next to him, "Why'd you bring him back though? I mean, I didn't think that you were that kind of person. You seem like you're the guy who isn't very accepting." Shane smiled, "I don't know that either. Maybe I just thought that Rick would've brought him back. I'm trying to figure out this leader stuff and its just not working. The kid is my responsibility anyway. He'll probably leave as soon as he's better." Glenn thought for a bit, "Nah. I don't think he will. You're playing the guardian now aren't you? I don't think he'll leave." Shane had missed the last part of what Glenn had said. He was still getting over the first part. He was going to have to be the protector of the kid. He was older, bigger, and not injured. Plus, the kid was his problem. "Oh god," he said. Glenn looked over, "What? You ok?" Shane sighed, "Yea. I'm just thinking about all this and I realized that I don't know how to be an older brother Glenn." Glenn had to grin, "It's easy man. All you have to do is be comforting to him, help him, keep him calm, and protect him. It's simple. Since he's going to be in a horrible mood today, I'd go for a comforting and calm mood. Rub his hair or something. I don't know." Shane smiled, "Rub his hair? Isn't that what Maggie does to you?" Glenn gave him the finger but laughed, "I meant in a comforting way not a, well you know. The 'I want to be with you for my whole life' way. But it keeps kids calm and they feel safer. I used to do that to my neighbor's kids when I watched them. It works well." Shane nodded, "Ok. Well, I'll see what happens. But I'll keep your tips in mind." Glenn grinned, "By the way, I think he likes you already." "How did you come up with that?" Shane asked. Glenn's grin widened, "Well you come in the door with this kid and I'm pretty sure I saw him lean into you. I don't know if it was just unconscious movement or not, but it was like he knew you were safe." Shane shook his head, "I'd love to know where you come up with these things." He pushed Glenn down the stairs and said, "Now go away I need a nap before the kid wakes up." Glenn laughed as he went back inside. Shane didn't move from his spot. He had felt that unconscious movement as well. Twice. The first time in the woods and then when he was in house. He wondered if Glenn was right about the kid thinking he was safe. He sighed, sat down in a chair, and closed his eyes. He'd need the rest for the big wake up call he'd be getting soon. As if the world wanted to be cruel to him today, right when he was about to fall asleep he heard screaming coming from upstairs.