Unbreakable threads

Chapter seventy Six ; gabriels church

The group trailed behind Gabriel as he stopped outside a small, weathered church. The building was unassuming, its white paint peeling, the cross on top slightly crooked. Gabriel hesitated on the steps, his hands trembling as he stared at the door, as though crossing the threshold might somehow change everything.

Alyssa stood near Rick and Michonne, her arms crossed, her patience wearing dangerously thin. Every moment they spent here felt like a waste. She should have been out there, searching for Beth. Instead, they were babysitting a priest who seemed as soft as they come. The fact that he'd made it this far baffled her. If it wasn't for them, he'd still be screaming on top of that rock. She let out a frustrated sigh, her fingers twitching as her impatience grew.

The rest of the group exchanged uneasy glances, their mistrust of Gabriel evident. Rick's hand rested on his revolver, and Michonne's sharp eyes stayed locked on Gabriel, assessing him with quiet suspicion. Daryl stood back, leaning slightly on his crossbow, while Maggie, Glenn, and the others lingered behind, all on edge.

When Gabriel finally made a move toward the door, his hesitation was almost unbearable. Alyssa rolled her eyes, her jaw tightening. Enough of this, she thought.

Without waiting for anyone's approval, Alyssa barged past Gabriel, shoving the door open herself. The heavy creak of the hinges echoed through the quiet clearing as she stepped inside, her boots clicking against the wooden floor. She turned around in the doorway, her body half-illuminated by the dim light filtering through the stained-glass windows, and faced the group.

Her eyes locked on Gabriel, her gaze sharp and mocking. With deliberate exaggeration, she brought her hands up to her neck, clutching at her throat as she pretended to choke. She staggered slightly, her face twisting into a mocking expression of agony.

The group fell silent for a moment, the tension hanging thick in the air—until Tara suddenly burst out laughing, unable to hold it back. She doubled over, clutching her stomach, the sound breaking through the uneasy quiet. Alyssa glanced at her, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Tara straightened up, wiping a tear from her eye, clearly understanding the deeper meaning behind Alyssa's performance. It wasn't just mocking Gabriel's fear of sin—it was personal. From one gay to another, Tara knew exactly what Alyssa was doing. Alyssa hadn't said anything outright, but the message was clear.

"Subtle," Tara said, grinning at Alyssa.

Rick shot Alyssa a sharp look, his voice low but firm. "Alyssa, that's enough."

Alyssa shrugged, stepping further into the church, her smirk fading as she glanced around at the empty pews and dusty altar. "Looks like a waste of time to me," she muttered, her voice just loud enough to carry.

Gabriel remained frozen on the steps, his face stricken, his hands gripping the doorframe like it might somehow keep him grounded. Michonne exchanged a glance with Daryl, her expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of amusement in her eyes as she shook her head slightly.

Daryl sighed, following Alyssa into the church. "Kid's got a point," he muttered under his breath, his eyes scanning the interior. "Ain't much here."

Gabriel dropped to his knees in front of the altar, mumbling a quiet, desperate prayer. His trembling hands clutched a small cross, his whispered words barely audible in the stillness of the church. The rest of the group watched him uneasily, their unease growing with every second of his subdued worship.

Alyssa let out a frustrated sigh. Her annoyance was written all over her face as she turned back toward the group, her hand resting on her hip. She gestured vaguely at Gabriel with a flick of her other hand.