Unbreakable threads

Chapter one hundred and Twenty: Jesus.

Alyssa burst through the door of Rick's house, her chest still heaving as she scanned the room. Michonne stood in the living room, holding Judith, her calm demeanor contrasting Alyssa's frantic energy.

"Is she okay?" Alyssa demanded, her voice sharp and filled with urgency.

Michonne raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of confusion and concern. "Yes, of course she is," she replied, her tone calm but questioning Alyssa's sudden panic.

Alyssa stepped forward without hesitation and took Judith from Michonne's arms, holding the little girl tightly as if she needed the reassurance more than Judith did. Her hands trembled slightly as she cradled her sister, her eyes darting around the room as though checking for threats.

Moments later, Carol stepped inside the house, having followed Alyssa all the way there. She immediately took in the scene: Alyssa clutching Judith protectively, her face still tense, and Michonne standing there, clearly puzzled by Alyssa's behaviour.

Carol moved to Michonne and gently placed a hand on her arm, guiding her into the kitchen, out of Alyssa's earshot. She glanced over her shoulder once before turning to Michonne, her voice low and serious. "We have a problem," she said softly.

Michonne frowned, her concern deepening. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice matching Carol's quiet tone.

Carol sighed, glancing toward the doorway to ensure Alyssa couldn't hear them. "It's Alyssa. Something's... not right. That scream in the street earlier? She reacted like we were back on the road, like we were still out there fighting to survive every second. She ran out with her hand on her holster, ready to shoot, all because Carl and Enid were messing around."

Michonne's frown deepened as she glanced toward the living room. "She's been through a lot. We all have," Michonne said carefully. "But this sounds different."

"It is," Carol insisted. "She's not okay, Michonne. She's running on instinct, like she's waiting for the next disaster. And she's using Judith as her anchor. I get it—Judith keeps her grounded—but this level of protectiveness? It's not healthy."

Michonne nodded slowly, her gaze shifting toward the living room where Alyssa sat with Judith. "What do we do?" she asked.

Carol's lips pressed into a thin line as she thought for a moment. "We keep an eye on her," she said finally. "And we talk to Rick. He needs to know what's going on with her, especially if this gets worse."

Michonne hesitated but eventually nodded. "Alright," she said. "But let's tread carefully. Alyssa's strong, but if we push too hard, she might pull away completely."

Carol sighed, her worry etched across her face. "I know," she said softly. "That's what I'm afraid of."

Alyssa stepped into the kitchen, her expression taut as she held Judith close to her chest. "She's alright," she said softly, her voice a little strained. "I get it. Just gotta make sure..."

She gently rocked Judith in her arms, her gaze fixed on the baby as if grounding herself in the moment. After a few moments, she reluctantly passed Judith back to Michonne, who accepted her with a reassuring nod.

Alyssa leaned against the counter, crossing her arms as she let out a deep sigh. "I just... I can't forgive myself for what happened when the herd came through," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "I know I was out there doing my part, but... anything could have happened to Judith. Carl got hurt... and you all left her with Gabriel."

Her words hung heavily in the air, and her frustration was evident as her hands clenched into fists. "I get why you did it," she added quickly, her tone softening slightly. "I do. But the thought of her being out there, with him of all people... it just eats at me. I should've been here. I should've kept them safe."