DIRT AND DECAY ⸻ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝 ( ON HOLD )

7| He cares more about her.

CHAPTER SEVEN  ⎯ 
HE CARES MORE ABOUT HER.

THE WALKERS WERE
GRADUALLY thinning, their shuffling and groaning fading into the background noise. August's gaze wandered over the rather chaotic scene before him as he watched as Sophia rushed out from under the car and into the woods, followed by a snarling walker.

Rick was hot on her heels, sprinting after her as fast as his legs could carry him. At the same time, Carol was standing beside Lori, her shoulders shaking with each sob that escaped her lips.

August couldn't fault Sophia for running. The instinct to flee was a primal one, hardwired into their very beings.

Daryl rushed over towards his son. His fingers cupped August's face before pulling him into an embrace. "You hurt?" Daryl asked as he pulled back to meet his son's eyes.

"No, dad." August shook his head.

"Don't lie to me, boy." Daryl held his face in his hand as he examined him. "Scratched or bit?"

"I'm fine. Promise."

Daryl's response was intercepted by the sound of his Rick's voice, "Daryl! Over here, now!"

"Wait, dad!—" Daryl was already walking away, following Shane and Glenn into the woods.

⊹

AUGUST WAS now sitting on the
     hood of a car, a black 1990s Honda Civic that had seen better days. His legs were bent at the knees as he looked down at the ground.

His hands were fidgeting with something small, a metal clip perhaps, and he looked like he was deep in thought. Shane, who was standing in front of him, cleared his throat, breaking August out of his reverie.

"Kid," Shane spoke up.

August looked back down, fiddling with the clip in his hand once again before finally answering, "Hello..."

"Need ya to stand." Shane announced as he gestured to the car. His face was calm, but his tone was stern, he was clearly pissed off.

August looked rather confused before he looked around and saw the others shoving cars out of the way. "Oh, sorry." August hopped down from the hood of the car.

"Daryl was right." Shane muttered as he cracked his knuckled, making his way to the back of the car.

Huh? August thought. What did my dad tell him?

⊹

THE MORNING SUN CAST A
golden light over the group as Rick returned from his hunt for Sophia. Despite his and Daryl's efforts, they had had no luck, and the prospect of a long day searching for the girl loomed like a dark cloud over the group.

Now, they stood beside Dale's RV. Their heads were lowered in contemplation, their voices quiet as they discussed their options. "Dale, keep an eye on August and Carl when we're gone." Rick spoke.

"I'm going with you." Carl announced. "You need people, right? To cover as much ground as possible."

Rick was about to respond before Dale interjected, "Well, he has all of you to look after them I'd say he's in good hands."

"Okay." Rick breathed out softly. "But always within our sight, no exceptions."

"Do you want to go, August?" Dale inquired as he leaned against the RV.

"No, thank you. I'll just stay here with my dad..." August trailed off as he went to look at his dad, but he wasn't anywhere to be seen.

"Oh, he's still looking for Sophia." Rick confirmed.

Oh.

August can't be mad. That would be insensitive. The girls missing for christ sake! But why did his heart swell up when he heard those words?...

—August couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. He admired Daryl's loyalty to Carol and her daughter, but at the same time, he wished that he could have given him just a moment of the same worry.

Even when August got chased by a walker back in camp . . . Daryl was too focused being with stupid uncle Merle to even notice or to care.

୨୧ authors note! ⸻

august needs a hug
(he ain't getting one)

—Jo <3