Unbreakable threads

Chapter Ten: finding the group.

Glenn led Rick and Alyssa up a darkened stairwell to the top floor of what had once been a bustling department store. Now, it was silent and shadowed, the aisles of clothing racks and display shelves stripped bare, signs of makeshift survival marking every corner. Alyssa took in the scene, her heart racing as they approached the far end of the store, where a group of people huddled around a lantern, speaking in low murmurs. They looked up as Rick and Alyssa entered, their expressions a mix of curiosity and wariness.

Glenn gestured for them to follow. "Everyone, these are our new friends—Rick and his daughter, Alyssa. They got stuck out there and, well... I figured they might be able to help us."

Rick gave a polite nod, glancing around at the faces in the room as Glenn began the introductions.

"Rick, Alyssa, this is Andrea," Glenn said, gesturing to a blonde woman with a sharp gaze, her eyes flicking between them with a look that spoke of strength and wariness. She nodded at them, a faint, guarded smile crossing her lips.

"T-Dog," Glenn continued, pointing to a tall, muscular man who greeted them with a nod. He looked tough but calm, the kind of person you'd want by your side in a fight.

"Jacqui," Glenn said, motioning to a woman with kind eyes and a quiet but strong presence. She gave them a warm smile, a welcome sight in this cold, chaotic world.

"That's Morales," Glenn added, nodding toward a man with a steady gaze and a family photo tucked into his shirt pocket—a reminder, perhaps, of the people he was fighting for. Morales offered them a friendly nod, though his face was etched with worry.

Finally, Glenn pointed toward a man standing off to the side, arms crossed and scowling. "And that's Merle," he said carefully. "Merle Dixon." Merle's eyes flicked over them with a sneer, sizing them up with a look of distrust. Alyssa could feel the hostility radiating off him, his posture tense and ready to fight if provoked.

Rick held Merle's gaze, refusing to be intimidated. He'd dealt with difficult people before, and Merle's hostility didn't surprise him. Alyssa shifted slightly behind her father, feeling Merle's stare linger on her in a way that made her skin crawl. She shot him a glare, determined not to let him scare her, and he seemed to smirk, amused by her defiance.

Glenn stepped between them, breaking the tension. "This is it," he said with a faint smile. "We're all that's left up here. There's a larger group just outside the city, our base camp. We're trying to get back to them, but..." He sighed, glancing out the grimy window at the empty streets below. "The city's crawling with walkers, and we're running low on supplies. We could really use the extra hands to get out of here."

Andrea nodded, crossing her arms as she looked at Rick. "We're not asking for charity, but if you two could help us clear a way out, we'd be grateful. And in return, you'd have a place with us. Safety in numbers, right?"

Rick considered her words, weighing the risk against the potential gain. The idea of joining a larger group appealed to him—especially if it meant giving Alyssa a safer environment. He glanced down at her, gauging her reaction, and saw the determination in her eyes. She was in this as much as he was.

"We'd be willing to help," Rick said, his voice steady. "We've got some weapons and supplies... not a lot, but we'll make it work."

Jacqui gave him an approving nod. "Good. We're stronger together. It'll be risky, but we don't have much choice."

Merle scoffed, crossing his arms tighter. "We don't even know these two. You sure they're not just dead weight?"

Rick's jaw tightened, but he kept his composure. "We're here to help," he said calmly, holding Merle's gaze. "We're not a liability."