Alyssa Chávez has felt alone for most of her life. She was never good at making friends. She always felt a distance between her and her family. So when the apocalypse happened, her social life didn't take much of a hit. After losing her family, Alys...
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Chapter Forty-One
Roadblock
Alyssa pulled Carl into a hug the moment she stepped away to let Rick speak with Maggie alone for a moment. She lay her chin on his shoulders and closed her eyes. She felt like she could breathe for the first time again, the wave of emotions having washed her ashore and left her a drowned mess gasping for life and air.
"I love you," she whispered. She didn't care who knew it, but this was a moment between them. Only them. Because then if anything were to happen, if anything happened to either them, they'd still have this.
Maggie may have been her priority at the moment, but that did not lessen her worries or feelings. At any point on their journey, they could be attacked by the Saviors. And while she didn't doubt their ability to fight to survive, it didn't always go their way. Alyssa had realized there was no way of truly knowing how many people the Saviors had. Their numbers, even after the major loss, could be anywhere from the tens to a few hundred. What were they going to do if they all attacked at the same time?
She had accepted the fact that she might die any day long ago. To be able to fight is to be able to lose. But just because she'd accepted that didn't mean it didn't scare her. It just meant that if it came down to it, she would be ready. What she was never ready for, no matter how often it happened, was losing someone she cared for. But at least with these memories, she'd be able to look back on their lives with fondness and not regret.
Carl sensed her tension and leaned closer into the hug and rubbed circles on her back. "I love you too."
Alyssa pulled back to look at him, only to be slammed against him when the van suddenly started driving. She stepped back and leaned against the other side of the narrow part of the vehicle and chuckled. She averted her gaze to side and took note of everyone who came along. Abraham, Sasha, Eugene, Aaron. About who she'd expected, except Enid wasn't there.
Alyssa looked back at Carl and frowned. "Where's Enid?" she wondered.
Carl went pale and didn't answer at first, seemingly contemplating whether or not answering was even a good idea. But as Alyssa grew more impatient by the second, he decided he should. "I... locked her in the armory."
Alyssa's jaw dropped. "You did what?" she questioned in a whisper-yell. Enid was her best friend and she'd gotten fairly close with both Maggie and Glenn to the point that she'd be the one to be with Maggie when she started feeling unwell. And she knew for sure if someone had kept her from any of her friends she'd be outraged.
"I did it for her safety. We both know anything could happen while we're out here. This isn't a trip to the woods to read comics. A confrontation with the Saviors is bound to happen sooner or later," Carl argued.
"This isn't about confronting the Saviors. It's about getting Maggie to a doctor. And you are apologizing to Enid when we get back," Alyssa countered. "Now, excuse me."
She moved past him, turning sideways to pass Rick as he went back to the front of the vehicle. Maggie forced a small smile upon seeing her and padded the small space behind her on the couch-bed. Alyssa adjusted her utility belt a little so the knives couldn't accidentally poke her as she went to lie down behind Maggie. She wanted to make her feel safe just like Maggie had made her feel on the road.
