#fcstering

“I–” He paused when the other grabbed his hand and placed it on his chest. Focusing on the rapid heart beat now, thudding away under his palm. “– my bad.”

Mason scrapes his foot over the gravel and tips his head to one side, letting the handkerchief drop so that the kid can see his smile, can hear his voice unmuffled. “Am I some poor wretched mutt left in the middle of the state forest all alone? Is that what you’re asking?” He points around. “Six miles -- at least -- and that’s only if you pick the right direction. You pick the wrong direction and you’ll end up like those hikers they found last month. You must have heard about them, it was all over the news.”

             Daryl looked over at the other, brows furrowed in a bit of              concern. “-- ya’ feelin’ alright?”