Unbreakable threads

Chapter Fifty-Two: Family Demons.

Daryl descended the stairs quietly, careful not to disturb Alyssa as she continued to sleep. As he reached the main floor, he saw Carol sitting near the table, gently cradling baby Judith in her arms. The soft light of dawn filtered through the narrow windows, casting a peaceful glow over the cell block, though the tension from the previous day still lingered heavily in the air.

Carol looked up as Daryl approached, her face lined with weariness but softened as she gazed down at the baby in her arms. Daryl's expression tightened slightly as he scanned the room, noticing Rick's absence.

"Rick come back from the boiler room yet?" Daryl asked, his voice low, tinged with concern.

Carol shook her head, her eyes flicking toward the entrance to the cell block. "No. He's... still out there," she replied softly, her voice carrying a hint of sadness. "He's hurting, Daryl. Losing Lori... it's tearing him apart. And now... well, everything with Alyssa. I don't think he knows how to come back from this."

Daryl's jaw clenched, his concern for Rick mingling with his protective instincts toward Alyssa. He'd seen the toll the past days had taken on both of them, father and daughter, each cracking under the weight of their own traumas.

He sighed, glancing back up the stairs toward the cell where Alyssa still slept. "He'll have to find his way back," he murmured, more to himself than to Carol. "For her. For Carl. And for that little one." He nodded toward Judith, who squirmed gently in Carol's arms.

Carol gave him a small, understanding smile. "You're holding us all together, you know that, right? Alyssa, Judith... even Rick, in your own way." Her voice was soft, reassuring.

Daryl shrugged, uncomfortable with the praise but not dismissing it. "Just doin' what needs doin'," he muttered, his eyes hardening with quiet resolve. "Ain't nobody else gonna do it if I don't."

Carol nodded, appreciating his quiet strength. "Well, thank you. We all need you, Daryl. More than you know."

As Maggie and Glenn emerged from their cell, Glenn's arm wrapped protectively around her waist, they approached the table where Daryl and Carol were seated. Maggie's gaze flickered around the room, her eyes searching for someone.

"Where's Alyssa?" she asked, her tone soft but laced with concern.

Daryl looked up, meeting her eyes with a steady expression. "She's still asleep," he replied, his voice calm but with an underlying protectiveness. "Figured she could use the rest."

Maggie nodded, a look of understanding passing over her face. She knew Alyssa had been through a lot—more than most of them, especially considering her age. "Good," Maggie murmured. "She deserves a break... after everything."

Glenn gave Daryl a sympathetic nod, a silent acknowledgment of the weight Daryl was carrying, not only for Alyssa but for the group as a whole. "If there's anything we can do to help..." he offered, his voice trailing off, but his sincerity clear.

Alyssa slowly made her way down the stairs, her steps deliberate, though there was a haunted look in her eyes. The dried blood from the day before clung to her face and hands, a stark reminder of everything she'd endured, of the darkness she was carrying. Despite the exhaustion etched in her features, there was a certain calmness about her now.

Carol noticed immediately and quietly passed baby Judith to Maggie, her own maternal instincts kicking in as she rose to meet Alyssa halfway. She placed a gentle hand on Alyssa's shoulder, her gaze warm and understanding, offering comfort without words.

"Hey, sweetheart," Carol murmured softly, her tone a balm against the weight Alyssa seemed to carry. "Come sit with us."

Alyssa gave a small nod, her expression unreadable, but she allowed Carol to guide her to the table where the others were gathered. As she sat down, a hush fell over the group, each of them aware of the quiet storm within her. They didn't pry, didn't push; they simply offered her the silent support of their presence.