Unbreakable threads

Chapter Ninety: Journey to Alexandria

About an hour later, the barn doors creaked open, and Daryl, Michonne, and Aaron stepped back inside. The group immediately rose to their feet, their expressions tense and expectant. Aaron's face remained calm, though he looked tired. Daryl and Michonne exchanged glances before nodding in unison.

"It's true," Michonne said, her voice steady but cautious. "There are cars parked about a mile out, just like he said."

Daryl stepped forward, his crossbow slung over his shoulder. "Supplies too. Looks like he wasn't lyin'." His eyes flicked briefly to Alyssa before settling on Rick.

The group murmured among themselves, the revelation stirring a mix of relief and unease. Aaron's story checked out so far, but the uncertainty of what lay ahead still hung over them.

Alyssa stepped forward, her arms crossed as she locked eyes with Rick. Her expression was a mix of defiance and vindication, the tension between them thick and unrelenting. "Told you," she said, her voice sharp but quiet, carrying the weight of her earlier argument.

Rick's jaw tightened, his gaze hard as he stared at her. He didn't say anything, but the frustration and conflict in his eyes were clear. He hated being wrong, especially when it came to Alyssa. Her defiance was like a dagger twisting in the growing rift between them.

Aaron glanced between the two of them, sensing the unspoken battle but saying nothing. He instead addressed the group. "I know it's hard to trust. But I meant what I said—Alexandria is real. It's safe. And you're all welcome there."

Michonne nodded, stepping forward again. "We should go, Rick. It's worth checking out."

Rick's eyes flicked to her, then back to Aaron. His shoulders tensed as he wrestled with the decision, the weight of the group's safety pressing down on him. After a long, heavy silence, he finally spoke, his voice low and grudging. "We'll see."

Alyssa's lips twitched in a small, knowing smile. She didn't gloat, but the look in her eyes said enough: her instincts had been right. Rick hated it, but he also knew he couldn't ignore it anymore.

Daryl shifted slightly, his eyes flicking to Alyssa, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He didn't say anything, but he knew her well enough to see her silent victory for what it was.

Aaron hesitated, his calm demeanor wavering slightly as Rick pressed him. "How do we get to Alexandria?" Rick demanded, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Aaron glanced around the group, clearly uneasy. "I usually drive new recruits," he admitted. "It's safer that way. I know the best route."

Rick's eyes narrowed. "You're not drivin'. Tell me how to get there."

Aaron's hesitation deepened, his reluctance clear. "Go north on Route 16. We cleared it. It's the safest way."

Rick crossed his arms, shaking his head. "We'll take Route 23."

At that, Aaron went pale, his face tightening with worry. "No," he said quickly, his voice laced with concern. "We cleared 16. It's safe. 23 isn't—it's crawling with walkers. Please, trust me on this."

But Rick's expression didn't change. "We'll take 23," he said firmly, his tone final. "And we leave at sundown."

Alyssa, who had been watching the exchange with growing irritation, scoffed loudly. "You wanna do this at night?" she said, her voice sharp with disbelief. She stepped forward, glaring at Rick. "You're seriously gonna ignore the guy who knows the way and try to lead us through walker-infested roads in the dark? How does that make any sense?"

Rick's jaw tightened, his frustration with Alyssa bubbling over. "You don't make the calls here," he snapped. "I do."

"Yeah, and your calls lately have been crap," Alyssa shot back, her voice rising. She gestured toward Aaron, who was still visibly uneasy. "He knows the roads. He knows what's out there. You're just ignoring him because you can't stand the idea that someone else might be right for once."