Unbreakable threads

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty four: alyssa hears the name negan again.

Maggie stood firmly in front of the group. "Gregory doesn't want to trade," she said bluntly, her frustration barely concealed. Behind her, Gregory remained tucked away in his office, clearly avoiding confrontation.

Alyssa rolled her eyes and turned to Jesus. "You mean we came all this way... for this?" she said, her tone sharp.

Jesus raised his hands slightly in a calming gesture. "Ammo isn't something Hilltop desperately needs. We have walls. We just brought in more medicine. Gregory wants the best deal possible," he explained, his voice measured.

Alyssa scoffed, crossing her arms. "Yeah, well, we need food. We came all this way, so we're gonna get it," she said, her determination unshaken.

Jesus sighed, clearly trying to defuse the tension. "I will talk to him, and we will work this out. I'll make him understand. Give me a few days," he said.

Alyssa's eyes widened in disbelief. "A few days? Oh, hell no! I've got kids back home, I can't—"

Rick interrupted her firmly, stepping forward. "Alyssa, you don't have kids. You have a brother and sister who are with Carol. Carl is old enough to take care of himself. He's damn near as tough as you are and isn't a little boy anymore. And Judith is with Carol. Morgan, Rosita, and the rest of them are there protecting the walls. They're fine. We are staying here," he said, his tone final and unyielding.

Alyssa's glare was fiery as she faced Rick, his arms still casually wrapped around Michonne's waist. Her words cut sharply through the tense atmosphere.

"Brother, sister. Son. Daughter. Cat, dog, whatever. I've done more to protect those kids than you have. I'm not there, Carl loses an eye. And Judith? She's left with Gabriel!" Alyssa snapped, her voice rising with anger.

Rick's jaw clenched tightly, his glare meeting hers. "Don't even mention that," he warned, his tone low and dangerous.

Alyssa stepped closer, her posture defiant. "Why? Don't like the truth, Dad? You're too busy playing house with Michonne and trying to make stupid deals with a prick who clearly doesn't know his ass from his elbow."

The air grew heavier as Rick took a step forward, his fists clenching at his sides. His voice came out sharp and clipped. "Watch yourself, Alyssa. You don't know what you're talking about."

Before the tension could escalate further, Daryl quickly stepped in, his hand gently gripping Alyssa's arm and pulling her back. "Lyss, come on. It's alright," he said firmly, his tone calm but edged with concern.

Alyssa huffed, her shoulders tense as she reluctantly let Daryl guide her away. She shot one last glare at Rick before turning on her heel, muttering under her breath.

Rick exhaled sharply, his gaze lingering on Alyssa as she walked away with Daryl. Michonne placed a hand on Rick's chest, her expression soft but firm. "Let her cool off," she said quietly.

Rick nodded reluctantly, his frustration simmering just below the surface. "She doesn't get it. She doesn't understand what we're trying to do here."

Michonne squeezed his arm gently. "She does. She just shows it differently. She's protecting them the only way she knows how."

Meanwhile, Daryl guided Alyssa toward a quieter corner, his grip steady but gentle. "Lyss, you gotta ease up," he said softly, his blue eyes meeting hers.

Alyssa crossed her arms, her anger still bubbling beneath the surface. "He's just so—argh! He doesn't get it. They're not just his kids—they're mine too, Daryl."

"I know," Daryl said, his voice calm and understanding. "But you don't gotta fight him every time. He's tryin', same as you."

Alyssa sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as the tension began to ease. "I just can't lose them, Daryl. I can't."