A Broken World

Chapter 83

Nobody slept much inside the train car.

There wasn't enough room for everyone to get comfortable, and even if there had been, I didn't think any of us would've been able to sleep knowing the people outside could open that door whenever they wanted. Every time footsteps passed nearby, somebody lifted their head. Every time voices carried across the yard, Rick moved closer to the door and listened.

Daryl sat beside me with his back against the wall and one knee pulled up. He'd barely moved since we'd been locked inside. Every few minutes his eyes went to the door, then around the train car, then back to the door again. He was looking for something we could use as a weapon, and judging by the way his jaw stayed tight, he wasn't finding much.

Across from us, Rick was talking quietly with Tyreese and Carol. Carl sat close enough to hear everything. The first thing Rick had asked about was Judith, and now he was making Tyreese explain exactly where he'd left her for what had to be the third time.

"There's a hunting cabin east of here," Tyreese said. "About a mile, maybe a little more. It's off the road and surrounded by trees. You won't see it unless you know where you're looking."

"And she's alone?" Rick asked.

Tyreese nodded. "We didn't have another choice. Carol and I saw people coming from Terminus before they saw us. We couldn't outrun them carrying Judith, so we hid her first. We made sure the door was secure and left food and water with her."

Rick rubbed both hands over his face. "How long ago?"

"Yesterday afternoon," Tyreese answered.

Carl looked at his father. "She's okay, Dad."

Rick nodded, but I could tell Carl's reassurance wasn't enough. Nothing was going to be enough until Rick had Judith back in his arms.

Carol leaned forward. "Rick, she was safe when we left her. We made sure of that. We led the Terminus people away from the cabin before they caught us. They don't know she's there."

"I know," Rick said. He lowered his hands and looked at Carol. "I know you did everything you could."

Daryl shifted beside me. I glanced over and found him staring at the wall near the door. He reached forward and ran his fingers along a metal bracket attached to one of the boards.

"What are you doing?" I asked quietly.

"Tryin' to get this loose," Daryl said.

"With what?"

"My hands."

I looked at the bracket and then at him. "Excellent plan."

Daryl glanced at me. "You got a better one?"

"No, but I still reserve the right to judge yours."

"Wouldn't expect nothin' less."

I watched him pull at the bracket again. It moved slightly this time, which surprised both of us.

"Okay," I admitted. "Maybe I judged too early."

Daryl gave me a smug look. "Yeah."

"Don't get used to hearing that."

"Wasn't plannin' on it."

Rick heard us and came over. Daryl showed him the bracket, and within a few minutes Glenn and Tyreese were helping pull apart anything loose enough to use. We weren't going to find guns inside a train car, but metal was metal. Wood could be sharpened. Anything was better than our bare hands.