Unbreakable threads

Chapter Ninety One: Aaron and Eric.

The car jolted violently, throwing everyone forward as it collided with the front of a massive herd of walkers. The sickening thuds of bodies hitting the hood and the crack of the windshield filled the air as Rick gripped the wheel tightly, swerving to keep the car moving.

"Hold on!" Rick shouted, his voice tense as he drove straight into the thick of the herd.

The sedan barreled through the walkers, their bodies crunching under the tires, but the sheer number of them made it feel like they were driving through quicksand. Blood and gore smeared across the windshield, greasing the glass until they couldn't see a thing. Rick kept his foot on the gas, plowing ahead blindly.

"Rick, we can't see!" Michonne yelled, gripping the dashboard.

"Doesn't matter!" Rick growled, his focus unrelenting. "We keep going!"

Alyssa clutched the seat in front of her, her heart pounding as the car shook violently with every impact. Aaron was frozen in the front seat, his face pale, his earlier calm shattered by the chaos unfolding around them.

After what felt like an eternity, the car finally broke free of the herd, rolling to a stop on what they thought was a clear stretch of road. Rick slammed the brakes, the car skidding slightly before halting. Without a word, he threw open the door and jumped out, his eyes scanning the area frantically.

"The RV," he muttered, his voice sharp with urgency. "Where's the RV?"

The road behind them was empty—no sign of the RV or the rest of the group. Abraham had clearly taken the others down another path to avoid the herd.

"They got away," Michonne said, stepping out of the car and looking back. "Abraham must've found another route."

Rick clenched his jaw, his frustration clear. "We've gotta move. Let's get this thing started."

He climbed back into the car and turned the key, but the engine sputtered and failed. He tried again, his movements growing more frantic, but the car refused to start.

"Damn it," Rick muttered, slamming his hand against the steering wheel.

Before they could react further, a bright red flare shot up into the sky from the woods nearby. The group froze, their heads snapping toward the source. Aaron's eyes widened in panic, and without hesitation, he threw open his door and bolted into the woods.

"Hey!" Rick yelled after him, but Aaron was already gone.

Without a second thought, Alyssa threw open her door and ran after him. "Aaron, wait!" she called, sprinting into the woods.

"Alyssa, stop!" Rick shouted, but she didn't listen. Michonne cursed under her breath and jumped out to follow, her katana in hand. Rick grabbed his revolver and took off after them, as did Glenn who flanked them.

{In the RV}

chaos erupted as Abraham spun the vehicle around abruptly to avoid the herd. The sudden movement threw everyone off balance, but the tension was already razor-sharp.

Daryl was on his feet, gripping the back of the driver's seat, his voice raised in panic. "Alyssa's in the car! Alyssa's in the fucking car!" His eyes darted to the rear window, but there was no sign of the sedan or the others behind them. His breathing was ragged, his frustration boiling over.

"Daryl, sit down!" Carol said sharply, reaching out to steady him. Her voice was firm but filled with concern.

"She's out there!" Daryl snapped back, his voice cracking with emotion. "We shoulda never let her get in that damn car! I knew it!"