Word for wandering in a scared, aimless manner?

I'm looking for a word to describe someone who wanders, but not in the pleasant meandering type of way. Instead in an aimless, broken, scared kind of way, like a child wandering ruins.

What are my options?

Solution 1:

The only verb I can think of that involves walking and fear is slink:

1 : to go or move stealthily or furtively (as in fear or shame) : STEAL

However, that doesn't necessarily mean an aimless walk. In fact, I can't think of anything that would combine both aimless and fearful, because when you're afraid, and without another purpose, you tend to walk quickly to get out of the area you're afraid of.

In short, if you are afraid you almost always have an aim: either to escape or to quickly finish whatever needs to be done and then escape.

Solution 2:

That is still meandering.

Meander means to take a winding course or wander aimlessly.

Or bumble if you move in an awkward or confused manner.

Trail is also possible, it means to move slowly and without energy or enthusiasm.

Lumber and plod would also work.