Somehow it's working! By zombie standards it's a full-blown conversation: between Dead, a groan or a lurched shoulder could count as "hey" or "get out of my way" (bit hazy one which one's which).

Nodding, he pictures the smile in his eyes that can't make it to his mouth. Ellie continues to surprise him, from the matter-of-fact way she talks about saving what little food she has, like a true survivor, to the way she looks at him as a person. She meets his eyes instead of staring at his mouth. Maybe they're friends.

R reached out to tear at his sleeve. It was sorta-kinda clean. Ripping a strip of it off, he held it out to Ellie. Maybe it'll help?