Unbreakable threads

Chapter Seventy Nine: Meeting Noah.

As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the cracked windows of the women's refuge, Alyssa was already on her feet. Her movements were sharp and purposeful, her body buzzing with pent-up energy and determination. "It's light out," she said briskly, her voice cutting through the quiet. "Time to go."

Daryl and Carol exchanged a glance from where they were still sitting on the couch. Carol could see the fire in Alyssa, the kind of restless, reckless energy that came from holding too much inside. Alyssa was eager—too eager—and Carol knew it wasn't just about finding Beth. There was something deeper, something Alyssa had been carrying for far too long.

Carol stood up, crossing her arms as she faced Alyssa. "Before we go," she said calmly, her voice steady, "you need to say it."

Alyssa frowned, her body stiffening as she glanced between Carol and Daryl. "Say what?" she asked, her tone defensive.

Carol stepped closer, her expression soft but firm. "You need to admit it," she said. "All of it. About Beth. About who you are. You're not just running out there for Beth because she's part of the group. We all know that."

Alyssa froze, her fists clenching at her sides as she shot a glance at Daryl. He'd known all along, ever since she told him back at the prison. And now she knew he'd told Carol, too.

She swallowed hard, her jaw tightening as her eyes flicked back to Carol. "Why does it matter?" she snapped. "What, you need me to say it out loud? Fine. I'm gay. I love Beth. I'd do anything for her. There. Happy now?"

"Good," Carol said simply, her voice kind but firm. "Now you're being honest. With yourself. With us."

Alyssa rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as she looked away. "Yeah, well, don't make it a thing, okay? We've got more important stuff to worry about."

Carol nodded, stepping back. "You're right. We do. But holding onto stuff like that? It makes you heavy. And you can't be carrying all that weight when we're going after Beth."

Daryl finally stood, slinging his crossbow over his shoulder as he moved to Alyssa's side. He didn't say anything, just gave her a small nod, his silent way of saying, You're good. Let's go.

Alyssa let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, her shoulders relaxing just slightly. "Alright," she muttered. "Let's get this over with."

The three of them stepped out of the women's refuge and onto the street below. The early morning light cast long shadows, and the hospital loomed in the distance, a grim and foreboding silhouette against the sky. Alyssa took the lead, her hand instinctively resting on the holster at her hip, her eyes scanning every corner, every shadow.

But as she glanced up, her steps faltered. There he was again. Shane. Standing in the middle of the road, his stance relaxed, arms crossed, his familiar smirk playing on his lips. Alyssa's breath caught in her throat, and her grip on her holster tightened.

"You did what you needed to do to Gareth," Shane said, his voice low and smooth, like a twisted reassurance. "You made the call no one else had the guts to make. Don't listen to them back at the church. They don't get it, Alyssa. They don't understand what it takes to survive in this world."

Alyssa's jaw clenched, her body going rigid as Shane took a step closer, his tone softening. "You found Judith," he said, a flicker of something like pride in his voice. "You did good, kid. You're keepin' her safe. Just like you promised."

Behind her, Carol noticed Alyssa's sudden change in demeanor, the way her gaze seemed to fix on something—or someone—that wasn't there. She stopped, glancing at Daryl with a worried expression. "Is it happening again?" she whispered, her voice low but urgent.