Unbreakable threads

Chapter One hundred and Fifteen; daryl and alyssas first encounter with Dwight.

The tender moment between Alyssa and Daryl was abruptly shattered by the crackle of Alyssa's radio. Rick's voice came through, sharp and commanding, with no room for argument.

"Alyssa, do not turn around. Do you hear me? You two keep that herd moving. I'm heading back to the RV. I'll circle back and try to herd the other stragglers. Michonne, Glenn, and the others—they're heading home."

Alyssa grabbed the radio off her belt, her voice immediately filled with urgency as she responded, "Dad, don't you go alone! You don't know what's waiting for you out there!"

Rick's reply was swift, his tone firm and steady. "Alyssa, just keep moving. That's an order."

The radio clicked off, leaving only the sound of the horn echoing in the distance and the growls of the walkers behind them. Alyssa stared at the radio in her hand, her jaw clenched tight as frustration and worry swirled inside her.

"Damn it," she muttered under her breath, shoving the radio back onto her belt.

Daryl kept the bike steady, the growls of the walkers trailing behind them blending with the relentless blaring of the horn in the distance. Alyssa clung to him tightly, her mind still racing with everything that had just unfolded—not just between them, but with the herd, the horn, and Rick's plan.

"The next intersection," Daryl said gruffly, his voice carrying over the sound of the bike, "I'll spin back. Sasha and Abraham are in the truck ahead. They'll keep 'em moving."

Alyssa tightened her grip on his vest, her voice firm as she responded, "We're supposed to lead them 20 miles out, Daryl. That was the plan."

Daryl shook his head, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Plans change," he muttered. "They're gonna need us back there. You know it."

"Fine," she said finally, her voice resigned. "But we better make sure this doesn't all blow up in our faces."

The radio crackled to life again, and Rick's voice came through, tense and urgent. "Alyssa, I've made it to the RV. I'm about five miles away. I can't radio the others—I've lost touch with Glenn."

Alyssa grabbed the radio, her voice sharp as she replied, "Sasha and Abraham have got the herd."

Rick's voice came back, firm and commanding. "Alyssa, I told you—"

Suddenly, his words were cut off by the unmistakable sound of gunfire, loud and chaotic through the radio.

Alyssa's heart dropped, her hand tightening on Daryl's vest as she screamed into the radio, "Dad!" But there was no response.

Daryl screeched the bike to a halt, dirt and gravel kicking up around them. Alyssa's grip on him tightened, her voice frantic. "He's on his own! He's in the fucking RV alone!"

Daryl turned his head slightly, his expression grim but determined. "He's five miles out," he growled. "We'll get him."

Before Alyssa could respond, Daryl revved the bike hard and took off, the tires screeching as they sped forward. Alyssa clung to his back, her heart pounding as panic coursed through her. She couldn't lose Rick—not now, not after everything they had been through to rebuild their relationship. And the thought of him alone, surrounded by gunfire, made her stomach twist with fear.

Daryl's focus was razor-sharp, his jaw clenched as he pushed the bike faster. He didn't say anything, but his determination was clear in the way he handled the bike, weaving through the road with precision. Alyssa didn't need him to speak—she could feel it in the way he moved, in the way he was driving like their lives depended on it.

As Daryl spun the bike back around, the sound of growling walkers filled the air. The road ahead was completely blocked, a sea of the undead shuffling aimlessly but tightly packed together. There was no way through. Alyssa's heart sank as she realized this wasn't just a detour—wherever Rick was, they couldn't get to him.