Last One Standing ~ TWD Daryl Dixon

35

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Daryl

I was up before dawn, ready to keep moving. The clearing we stayed in was near a creek. We could use it as a landmark to get back on track. Michonne pulled a map out of her bag. We stood near the creek and went over the map in the first light. Tyreese woke and when he looked down at himself he nearly fell as he scrambled backwards. Without looking at us he practically ran to the creek. He slid down the bank to the water and began scrubbing the gore off his skin. He pulled his shirt off and began frantically scrubbing it in the water. I just shook my head. I had no idea how he managed to make it this long without getting his hands dirty. Maybe he would cut Jo a little slack from now on.

Michonne pulled my attention back to the map in her hands. "This is Turner Creek, so Barnesville must be a few miles downstream."

"Sounds like out best chance at finding a new ride," Bob said, coming up behind us and glancing over her shoulder.

"Yo, Ty," I called, folding up the map and tucking it back in the pack. He looked up at me, but I didn't know if he was really seeing me. His eyes were far away and his hands kept scrubbing frantically. "Come on, let's go. Vamonos."

When he didn't stop Michonne and I shared a look and just walked away, leaving him behind. If he pulled through this he knew where we were going and could catch up. But I wasn't wasting another minute of Jo's on him.

Michonne and I were walking side by side down the trail when I finally heard Bob and Tyreese jog to catch up. I nodded at her but kept moving, not making a big deal out of it. I looked down at the trail and hesitated. I bent down and scooped up a small rock. I licked my finger and scrubbed at the rock.

"Is that Jasper?" Michonne asked, frowning down at me like I was nuts.

"Mmhhmm," I nodded, turning the rock over in my hands.

"It's a good color," she observed. "Brings out your eyes."

When I shifted uncomfortably at her words she flashed me a full smile.

I ignored her teasing.

"When Miss Richards went into A block, we were leaving, she asked me to keep a look out." I climbed to my feet. "I'm gonna use it for her old man's marker."

Michonne frowned at me like she didn't know me. "You know all of them back there?"

I smirked at her and turned to keep walking. "Ya stay in one place more than a couple hours, you'd be surprised what ya pick up."

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Jo

It was dawn when Hershel came back up the stairs to check on Henry. He paused for a moment, surprised to find me kneeling beside bed. I compressed the bag, counted to six and did it again and again and again.

Hershel stood in the door watching me with kindly eyes. I coughed into my elbow but kept my count.

"I sent Glenn to get some rest," I told him without turning around. "Roughly six hundred squeezes ago." I coughed again.

"Thank you," Hershel said reaching out and squeezing my shoulder. "He was pushing himself too hard trying to help everyone."

"No problem," I said giving him a weak smile. I continued to squeeze the bag as Hershel turned and left me alone.

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Daryl