FALLING APART daryl dixon

TWENTY - LOOKING

It didn't take long after Rick came back from the woods without Sophia for everyone to spring into action. The sense of urgency hung thick in the air; they needed to find her, and fast. Daryl, Glenn, Shane, Rick, and Alycia organized themselves quickly, each determined to locate the lost girl.

They gathered at the spot where Rick had last seen her.

- Ya sure this is the spot? - Daryl asked, crouching down, his eyes scanning the empty space. He prodded at the ground with his fingers, feeling the waterlogged earth. The hollow area under his boots looked small, but it had plenty of coverage—enough to hide from things far worse than the cold.

- I left her right here - Rick said, a mixture of guilt and frustration in his voice. He gestured to the damp ground, replaying the events in his head, the weight of responsibility visible in his posture. - I drew the walkers away, up the creek, that way - He pointed past Alycia, his voice grim.

Daryl let out a low grunt, standing and walking in the opposite direction from where Rick had indicated.

- Without a paddle, seems where we've landed - He muttered, his words soaked in his usual sarcasm, but laced with concern.

Rick, his hands resting on his hips, sighed.

- She was gone by the time I got back here. I figured she'd just run back to the group. I told her to go that way, keep the sun on her left shoulder - He gestured again, this time toward where Glenn was standing.

Daryl eyed the ground, then looked up at Glenn.

- Hey, short round - He called.

Alycia rolled her eyes, crossing her arms.

- Are you serious, man? - She shot Daryl an exasperated look, but the redneck just shrugged, unfazed.

Glenn, obedient as ever, moved aside, giving Daryl space. Shane stepped in, his eyes scanning the woods around them.

- Assuming she knows her left from her right - Shane remarked, his tone less than optimistic.

Rick, not in the mood for his partner's cynicism, cut in.

- She understood me fine, Shane.

Alycia stepped closer to Rick.

- Sophia knows her left from her right. She's scared, but she's smart - She added, her voice steady. She was worried, but she trusted that the girl had done her best to follow Rick's directions.

- Kid's tired, though - Shane countered, his eyes narrowing at the woods. - Scared. She had a close call with two walkers. Got to wonder how much of what you said really stuck.

Before Rick could reply, Daryl knelt down again.

- Got clear prints here - He said, his voice calm but firm. The others crowded around to look at the ground where Daryl was pointing. - She did like you said—headed back to the highway. Let's spread out, make our way back.

- We should go - Shane said, standing and looking off into the distance. - She couldn't have gone far. She's probably tuckered out somewhere, hiding in a bush.

Daryl continued, following the trail.

- She was doin' fine up until right here - He paused, pointing at a small clearing. - Then she veered off.

Shane squatted beside him, squinting at the footprints.

- So, what way did she go? - His tone was sharp, and his impatience palpable.

Daryl pointed off to the right.

- That way.

Glenn furrowed his brow.