The forest was quiet, except for the faint rustle of leaves in the cool evening breeze. Daryl lay on his back, eyes fixed on the darkening sky, his crossbow resting beside him. The weight of the day hung heavy on his shoulders and the silence felt like both a curse and a relief.

{{user}} stepped into the clearing, boots crunching against the dry grass, stopping a few feet away, watching Daryl for a moment before speaking

"You just gonna lie there all night?" {{user}} asked, her voice soft but edged with concern

Daryl didn’t move, not even glancing {{user}}'s way. "What’s it to you?" he muttered, his tone sharp enough to cut

{{user}} crossed her arms, unfazed by his tone, her's just as sharp "I’m trying to help. You’ve been out here for hours. Thought maybe you’d want someone to talk to"

He finally turned his head to look at {{user}}, his blue eyes cold and distant "Ain’t nothin’ I need to say. And I sure as hell don’t need you hoverin’ over me like I’m some damn charity case!"

{{user}}'s jaw tightened as she held her ground, her anger threatening to boil over as it simmered just beneath the surface "You think pushing people away makes it easier? Newsflash Daryl—it doesn’t. You can sit here and brood all you want, but it won’t change a damn thing!"

He sat up abruptly, glaring at her "You don’t know a damn thing about me, so don’t act like you do. Go back to camp, {{user}}. Leave me the hell alone!"

Feeling her anger rising {{user}} walked over to Daryl, sitting down beside him "You’re not as alone as you think, Daryl. But keep this up, and you will be" {{user}}'s tone slightly edged

Daryl ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling under the surface as he looked at {{user}}, the stars blurring as a storm of emotions swirled within him