Unbreakable threads

Chapter Nintey Two: Meeting Deanna

As the group settled in for the evening, exhaustion hung in the air, though it was laced with a sense of cautious relief. Alyssa quietly made her way over to Aaron and Eric, slumping down beside them. She leaned her head back against the wall, her legs stretched out in front of her, clearly drawn to them. She wasn't entirely sure why, but there was something about them—something that resonated deeply. Maybe it was because they were like her. Maybe it was the quiet understanding she felt in their presence.

Aaron glanced at her, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Thanks," he said softly, his voice warm with sincerity. "For everything back there."

Alyssa shrugged, brushing it off in her usual way. "Just doing what needed to be done," she replied, though her tone was softer than usual, almost content.

On the other side of the room, Tara sat with Maggie and Glenn, her voice low as she leaned toward them. "You know when Alyssa said, 'If anyone has a problem with Aaron and Eric'?" she began, her tone light but proud. "I don't think she was talking about them being a threat."

Maggie raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Tara smiled knowingly, glancing briefly in Alyssa's direction. "I think she was talking about them being gay," she said plainly, her voice carrying a hint of pride.

Maggie tilted her head, realization dawning as her gaze shifted toward Alyssa. "That makes sense," she murmured. "Maybe that's why she had such a strong urge to protect Aaron. She saw it before anyone else did."

Glenn nodded slowly, his expression softening. "She's always been sharp like that. Picking up on things we don't."

Tara grinned. "I'm proud of her," she said simply, her voice filled with genuine affection.

Meanwhile, on the far side of the room, Daryl sat beside Carol, his crossbow balanced across his knees. His eyes flicked toward Alyssa, watching her as she leaned closer to Aaron and Eric, her posture relaxed in a way that was rare for her. His jaw tightened slightly, a flicker of something unspoken crossing his face—annoyance, maybe, or a subtle pang of jealousy.

Carol noticed immediately, her sharp gaze shifting between Daryl and Alyssa. "You alright?" she asked quietly, though her tone was laced with amusement.

Daryl huffed, his voice gruff. "She's just... takin' to them all of a sudden. Breakin' away."

Carol smirked faintly, shaking her head. "She's drawn to them," she said, her tone gentle but teasing. "Let her have it. Doesn't mean she's not yours."

Daryl shot her a sharp look, the words catching him off guard. He didn't respond, but his gaze drifted back to Alyssa, his jaw still tight.

He didn't know how to explain the feeling—it wasn't anger, and it wasn't jealousy exactly. It was more complicated than that, the same way everything with Alyssa always was.

Rick sat in the corner of the room, his arms resting on his knees, his head down as he stewed in silence. The argument with Alyssa churned in his mind, every word replaying like a broken record. She wasn't just defying him as a leader—she was rejecting him as her father. Completely. And now, she wasn't just pushing back; she was stepping forward, trying to lead the group herself. Rick couldn't decide if he was angry or heartbroken—or both.

He knew why it was happening. Alyssa was too much like him. The same unyielding stubbornness, the same need to fight for control. It was in her blood—his blood. He could see it clear as day. She carried his DNA too strongly sometimes, but that wasn't all that had driven her away. Deep down, Rick knew he'd crossed a line. Maybe more than one.