The prison group's nerves were finally calming. It had been about a month or so after they were terrorized by the evil Governor. Everyone was beginning to feel normal or as normal as you could these days. It was nice. The days were getting colder but the group managed. With more mouths to feed they had to go out on more searching missions. Rick figured he would give Glenn and Maggie a break from going on runs and go on one himself. He thought it would be great to get out there and maybe think about some things. Like how the group was going to survive the winter with all the new people they had taken in. He often thought he was never a fit leader for the group.
Rick always stressed himself out too much. Daryl could see that. He was grateful to that man for a lot of things. With out Rick's guidance Daryl probably would be dead or off on his own. Daryl had made a significant change and he thanked Rick for it.
Before Rick set out on his way he gathered the main prison group in the cell block to announce that he was leaving. He planned on asking one of the new members, Tyreese, to accompany him, but he figured it would be best if he stayed with the elderly. Tyreese seemed to hold their trust. Rick decided just to take Daryl. His right hand man. Daryl never seemed to let him down it always gave Rick the feeling that he would always be there.
Rick and Daryl said their last goodbyes to their group and headed out. Rick got into the drivers seat Daryl in the passenger's. It was a quiet drive for the most part. A cough from Daryl and a sniffle from Rick was the only noise that was created during their trip. Although Rick and Daryl were close they never really talked to each other. They used body language to communicate.
They reached a small gas station not to far from the prison. All of the windows were boarded up other than of one that was busted open glass and debris all over the floor next to the window. That is where Rick and Daryl entered.
The place looked safe enough. Once Daryl and Rick did their last sweep through to make sure the place was safe and secure they split up and looked for supplies. The place looked completely untouched. It was perfect. Rick walked over to an aisle that contained chap sticks, candy, cold and flu remedies, band aids, small bags of chips, (all of them were past expiration date) small cheap toys, and some cough syrup. Rick just shoved everything into the bag he had in his hand. The more stuff the better.
Daryl slowly made his way over to Rick, smiling with anticipation, he couldn't wait to see what Rick had found. Daryl and Rick exchanged bags and dug through them looking to see what treasures they had found. "Of course you got cigarettes." Rick said with a smug look. "What's wrong with that?" Daryl asked chuckling. "Nothing, nothing." Rick said handing Daryl the bag with a smile. Daryl looked down trying to avoid looking at Rick. "Let's head back before everyone starts to worry." Rick says starting to head for the door.
Daryl began to walk as well, his gaze still fixed on the ground. His foot catches on something causing him to fall onto Rick. Rick rolls over, Daryl on top of him and they sit there. Daryl looking into Rick's eyes Rick looking into Daryl's. They stay that way, on the ground for a few minutes before Daryl rolls off of Rick and hops up. He extends his hand out to help Rick up. Rick takes and brushes himself off. As they walk to the vehicle they avoid eye contact. The car ride back was silent. Not a surprise, but Rick is thinking he should say something about what had happened and how he felt when it happened. Honestly he doesn't know he feels. Rick grips the steering wheel in frustration. Why couldn't he think of anything to say? Why is he confused? Daryl is a friend. No a brother. They are family.
