Unbreakable threads

Chapter Eighty Four: Shes a Dixon now.

Abraham kept his focus on the road ahead, the rumble of the church bus filling the otherwise quiet atmosphere. Most of the group sat back in their seats, trying to find a moment of peace amidst the chaos of their lives. But Alyssa? Alyssa had other plans.

Still irritated that Rick had made her sit next to him, and suspicious about why he was so intent on keeping her away from Daryl, she leaned fully into her defiant streak. She wasn't just resisting—she was going to make everyone laugh while she did it.

She leaned back in her seat, stretching her arms dramatically before saying loudly, "Sittin' on this bus feels like we're on a ride to Planet Bullshit. Population: Us."

Tara burst out laughing from the back, unable to help herself. Glenn, sitting a few rows away, let out a snort, trying to disguise it as a cough, but his shoulders were shaking. Even Maggie cracked a small smile, though she tried to stay composed.

Encouraged, Alyssa turned her attention to Father Gabriel, who was sitting stiffly in his seat, still clearly wary of her ever since she'd mocked him back at the church. A mischievous grin spread across her face, and she started singing a mock hymn at the top of her lungs.

"*Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like... ME, from this dumb-ass bus... full of HOLY SHIT!" she bellowed, deliberately misplacing words with rude ones, her voice completely off-key.

Gabriel stiffened, his eyes wide with horror, while Tara was practically doubled over with laughter in the back. Even Michonne, sitting with Carl and Judith, let out a chuckle, shaking her head as she muttered, "She's something else."

Rick pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a long, tired sigh. "Alyssa," he said, his tone full of warning.

"What?" she replied innocently, her grin wide and unapologetic. "Just tryin' to liven up the ride, Dad. Not my fault if the holy man can't take a joke."

Glenn bit his lip, his face turning red as he tried to suppress another laugh. Gabriel muttered something under his breath, looking as though he was praying for patience.

Alyssa eventually sank back into her seat, the tension in her body slowly easing as the bus rumbled down the road. She stared out the window, her expression unreadable, but her mind was spinning. she couldn't help but feel the weight of everything—Beth, Tyreese, all of it pushing down on her.

Abraham kept his eyes on the road, his hands steady on the wheel, doing what he always did: focusing on the task at hand and letting the chaos around him simmer in the background. The rest of the group stayed quiet.

Rick, sitting next to Alyssa, shifted slightly, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. He could feel her unease, her frustration, and her exhaustion. He leaned in a little closer, his voice low so only she could hear. "Lyss, this isn't about taking you away from Daryl," he said softly. "I just... I need you by my side for a little while, that's all. Not trying to snatch you from him."

Alyssa didn't look at him, but her jaw tightened briefly. After a moment, she let out a small sigh and finally turned her head to meet his eyes. "I get it," she said quietly, her voice subdued but tinged with frustration. "But you gotta stop hovering, Dad. I'm not Carl. I'm not a little kid. I've got this."

Rick gave her a small nod, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. "I know you do," he said. "I'm not trying to hold you back. I just... I need to make sure you're okay. That's all. You've been through so much, and I... I missed so much of your life already. Just let me be here, alright?"

Alyssa stared at him for a moment, her expression softening slightly. She nodded, leaning back against the seat. "Fine," she muttered, her tone losing some of its edge. "But you're still annoying."