Unbreakable threads

Chapter Eighty Six: 'From a Friend'

As Tara and Alyssa settled onto the dusty side of the road, the weight of the silence between them was palpable. Alyssa stared down at her boots. Tara glanced over at her, her gaze soft, but understanding. She knew that Alyssa was feeling the emotional toll of the group's strained atmosphere, especially after the confrontation with Rick.

The group had gathered a few feet away, some pacing, others sitting in tense stillness. Rick, Carol, and Michonne exchanged worried glances, but no one dared speak up. They all knew things were fragile right now—fragile like glass ready to shatter.

Alyssa clenched her fists in her lap, the dryness in her throat a reminder of how desperate their situation was. "What do we do now?" she asked quietly, barely above a whisper, but enough for Tara to hear.

Tara didn't reply right away, her gaze flickering between Alyssa and the others. "We wait," she said finally. "We wait for something—anything—before we make any more decisions. We don't have the luxury of rushing into anything right now."

A long breath left her as she glanced over at Rick, who stood with his back turned to them. He was staring off into the distance, his broad shoulders tense. The sight of him only deepened the ache in her chest. Was this how it was always going to be now? Distant. Cold.

Tara's voice broke through her spiraling thoughts. "You okay?"

Alyssa looked at her, forcing a small, smile. "I will be."

Alyssa's shoulders tensed for a moment as Daryl came and sat beside her, his presence offering a sense of comfort, even when words felt too heavy. She leaned slightly into him, appreciating his arm around her despite the unspoken tension that still lingered in the air. It was a small gesture, but it meant the world in a moment like this.

"Hopefully it rains or something soon," Daryl said, his voice gruff but laced with concern. He looked around, scanning the barren landscape. "There's no water around here at all..."

Alyssa nodded, her lips pressing together in a tight line.

Daryl's arm remained draped around her, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself to relax into the familiarity of his support. It was the only constant she had right now.

"You'll be alright," Daryl said, his voice steady. He didn't have to explain what he meant—he knew the weight of her worries, even if they hadn't been spoken out loud.

Daryl shifted uncomfortably, his hand tightening slightly around Alyssa's shoulder as the quiet hum of his thoughts tangled with the weight of his emotions. He could feel the tension building, and it wasn't just the dry heat or the impending threat of their situation. It was something deeper, something he hadn't been able to put a name to.

He glanced over at Tara, who was sitting a few feet away, talking softly with Carol. She seemed like a good person, someone who could understand Alyssa in ways he couldn't, especially with everything Alyssa was going through. But every time he saw Tara getting too close to Alyssa, something inside of him tightened, an unease he couldn't shake. It wasn't like he was worried about them in any dangerous way—he trusted Tara. But the feeling still lingered, gnawing at him.

The jealousy clung to him, like a shadow he couldn't outrun. Daryl knew that he cared deeply for Alyssa—hell, he'd always had her back, treated her like his own. But something about her bond with Tara felt different. Tara understood things that Daryl couldn't always grasp, things that might make her a better fit to help Alyssa navigate the complexities of her sexuality. And yet, every time Daryl thought about Alyssa leaning on someone else, a deep pit formed in his stomach.

The confusion churned in him, especially when he thought about how complicated he and Alyssa were. They were both carrying so much, so many scars, and it felt like the only way they could stay afloat was by clinging to one another. But where does that leave me? he wondered. Where do I go when she needs someone like Tara?