HEART FOR BRAINS • the walking dead

040: road to terminus // A

"Yeah." The boy admitted almost embarrassed.

Michonne picked up on it, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, you're gonna be fine."

Rio took in a sharp breath and nodded along with what she was saying. "Daryl said that."

"You need to get some sleep."

"I cant."

"Just try for me, okay?"

"Okay."

***

Rio woke by himself, forehead red from leaning against the cold glass of the windows all night. He noticed he couldn't see anything, the windows were still covered up.

The second thing he noticed was that he was alone. He'd been forgotten.

"Hey." He muttered to himself groggily. Then he shouted it louder, pushing down on the handle of the door. "Hey!"

He used his shoulder to push open the door, calling out again when he was met with no response.

Rio made his way around the vehicle, stopping in front of the fire they'd made the previous night. Carl, Rick, Michonne and Daryl were sitting around it. The bodies had been hauled into a pile further down the road but the blood stayed on the grass and gravel.

As the boy looked around frantically Daryl jogged over, placing a steady hand on his arm.

"You okay?" He asked.

"The car. There was— there was no one in the car. I thought you'd gone."

"I'd never leave you, okay?" Daryl reassured him. "None of us would."

"Okay." Rio nodded wearily. He sat before the fire, staying close to Daryl. The boy held his one hand out to the fire, his other laying in his hoodie pocket. He leant onto Daryl, still tired after last night.

Carl and Michonne sat opposite him, the boy also sleepily leaning against her shoulder.

Daryl tapped the boy's shoulder, catching his attention. 'How is the arm?'

He flashed back half a smile and stuck his hand out. 'So-so'

'Were leaving soon'

"Okay."

'I've got an idea'

Rio pulled a face in response and Daryl mimicked taking his hoodie off. The boy copied and then Daryl did it again so Rio copied once more.

He draped his hoodie over his lap and handed the man his flannel. The cold crept under his shirt.

"Here." Daryl handed him the shirt back, sleeves now tied together. He hooked it over the boy's neck and Rio quickly realized what it was. He lifted his arm, putting it in the shirt. Daryl then tied the other end, keeping it in place.

"A sling." Rio pointed out even though there was really no need. Anyone with eyes could tell it was a sling.

"Is it helping?"

"A bit." Rio smiled. The pressure being off his arm really had helped.

Daryl grabbed the boy's hoodie and wrapped it around him. "You're freezing."

Rio looked up to him, not saying anything. Something was different between them, he could tell. What he couldn't tell was whether it was to do with him or Daryl.

***

Michonne and Rick led the way down the railway later in the morning. Carl trailed right behind them. Orangey-brown leaves covered the tracks they walked over, falling from the tall row of trees on each side of the rails.