Unbreakable threads

Chapter ninty Eight: Officer Grimes.

Alyssa grabbed Aidan by the shirt collar, her grip strong and unyielding as she started dragging him through the woods. Aidan stumbled and protested, but she didn't care, her patience with him completely gone. Nicholas stood there dumbfounded, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water, while Glenn and Tara struggled to keep their laughter in check.

Noah, walking behind them, looked almost starstruck. Alyssa's ruthlessness, her complete lack of hesitation to take charge, was only making his crush on her grow stronger.

When they reached the gates of Alexandria, Alyssa didn't slow down. She practically threw Aidan inside, shoving him hard enough that he stumbled and barely kept his footing. Aidan, a fully grown man, was reduced to glaring up at her like a petulant child as she spun on her heel, stomping off without another glance.

Glenn, Tara, and Noah followed close behind, their footsteps light with suppressed laughter.

"You three need new gigs!" Aidan shouted after them, his voice cracking with frustration. "You're not ready for runs yet!"

Alyssa didn't even turn around. "Pretty sure you got that backwards, asshole," she yelled over her shoulder, her voice sharp and cutting.

Aidan, his pride wounded beyond repair, stomped forward, grabbing her by the shoulder. Alyssa whirled around, her eyes blazing as she shoved his hand off her.

"We have a way of doing things around here!" Aidan snapped, his face red with anger. "You obey my orders out there!"

Alyssa didn't flinch. "You tie up walkers," she spat. "If we take your orders, we'll die—just like your last group."

Aidan's jaw tightened, and his nostrils flared. "Say that again," he demanded, his voice low and dangerous as he took a step forward and shoved her backward.

Alyssa didn't hesitate. She stepped right back up into his face, her jaw set and her voice unwavering. "You. Tie. Up. Walkers," she growled, each word deliberate. "That's why they're dead. That's why you're gonna get more people killed."

Aidan's fists clenched, his whole body trembling with anger. But before he could say or do anything else, Glenn stepped between them, his calm but firm presence breaking the tension.

"All right, that's enough," Glenn said, his voice steady as he looked between Aidan and Alyssa.

The commotion at the gate had reached the ears of everyone nearby, including Daryl. He came sprinting down the street, his crossbow slung over his back, his eyes locked on the scene. Alyssa was squared up with Aidan, her body tense and ready for whatever was coming. Without hesitation, Daryl stormed toward them, his voice cutting through the air like a knife.

"Hey, prick! Step back from her!" he shouted, his tone laced with a protective fury.

Aidan turned his head just in time to see Daryl barreling toward him, and for the first time, his bravado seemed to falter. But before anything else could happen, Deanna came rushing out of her house, her voice sharp and commanding.

"Aidan, stop it!" she yelled, her expression a mix of anger and disbelief. "What the hell is going on?"

Aidan ignored her, his frustration boiling over. "Why did you even let these people in, Mom?" he snapped, his voice cracking. "They don't belong here!"

"Because we actually know what we're doing out there!" Alyssa fired back, her voice cutting through the air. Her words were firm, steady, and packed with conviction.

Aidan spun around, his face twisted in anger. For a moment, it looked like he was going to throw a punch.

But he never got the chance.