Unbreakable threads

Chapter Sixty-nine: The drinking Game

The early morning sunlight filtered through the trees as Daryl, Alyssa, and Beth continued their trek through the woods, each of them weary but resolute. They hadn't come across a single sign of their group since leaving the ruins of the prison, and the ache of uncertainty weighed heavily on all of them. Yet they pressed on, driven by the hope that they might reunite with the others, that their fractured family wasn't as scattered as it seemed.

As they trudged through the underbrush, Alyssa's sharp eyes caught sight of something in a small clearing up ahead—an old, weathered shack, half-hidden by the trees and vines that had overtaken it. Her face brightened, a glimmer of hope breaking through the fatigue, and she bounded ahead, her voice filled with a rare enthusiasm as she called back to them, "Hey! This looks like a good spot to relax for a while!"

Daryl watched her with a slight smile, the sight of her excitement a welcome from the heaviness that had hung over them since they fled the prison. He glanced over at Beth, giving her a nod as they followed Alyssa into the clearing. The shack was small and run-down, but it was shelter, and shelter was something they desperately needed. They could take a moment to rest, to gather their thoughts, and maybe even scavenge for supplies if there was anything left inside.

When they reached the shack, Alyssa was already peering inside, her expression cautious but curious. She glanced back at them, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Looks safe enough," she said, her voice light but tinged with relief. For the first time since they'd fled, it felt like they had a moment to breathe, a sliver of peace in the midst of the chaos.

Daryl moved past her, his senses sharp as he surveyed the shack, instinctively checking for any threats. Satisfied, he nodded, gesturing for Alyssa and Beth to follow him inside. For now, this would be their safe haven, even if only for a few precious hours.

As Daryl, Beth, and Alyssa stepped inside, they were immediately hit with the stale, lingering scent of old alcohol. Empty bottles littered the floor and countertops, and the space, though small, had an unmistakable aura of abandonment and neglect. This wasn't a home; it was a place where someone had come to escape, to drown themselves in drink and lose touch with reality. The rundown sofa sagged under the weight of years, and a small table sat nearby, its surface scarred and stained. The kitchen, too, was sparse and barren, save for a few broken bottles and dusty shelves.

Daryl's gaze swept across the room, taking in the familiarity of it all. Though he didn't say it out loud, a shadow flickered across his face as memories he'd buried long ago clawed their way to the surface. This place reminded him of his childhood, of the rundown home he'd grown up in, where empty bottles and broken promises were scattered as casually as furniture. It was a harsh reminder of the life he'd escaped, the life he'd fought to leave behind.

"It's not much, but it's a roof over our heads," Alyssa said, her voice light, trying to lift the mood. "We can rest here for a while. Get our strength back before moving on." She tried to focus on the practical, on what they could gain from this stop, even if the place felt heavy with ghosts they couldn't see.

Daryl gave a curt nod, grateful for her understanding. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms as he tried to shake off the weight of the memories, reminding himself that he was no longer that boy, and that Alyssa and Beth were his family now. This place might resemble his past, but it didn't define his present.

As they settled in, Beth's eyes caught sight of a dusty crate in the corner. She walked over, her curiosity piqued, and lifted the lid, revealing a few old jars of moonshine tucked away inside. She grinned, a mischievous glint in her eye as she held one up, examining the murky liquid with an air of wonder. "Hey, look at this," she said, a hint of rebellion creeping into her voice. "I've never tried alcohol before. Maybe... maybe tonight's as good a night as any."