Unbreakable threads

Chapter one hundred and twenty Five : The saviours.

The atmosphere in Gregory's office was tense as the group gathered to discuss what had just transpired. Jesus leaned against the desk, addressing the room with a grave expression.

"Dr. Carson is patching Gregory up," Jesus began. "He's in pain, but he'll live."

Rick folded his arms, his face stern. "So what happens now?"

Jesus sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Things like that don't usually happen here."

Alyssa, standing with her arms crossed near the window, cut in sharply. "I heard the name Negan back there. A while back, me, Daryl, and Abraham had a run-in with his men. Who is he?"

Jesus straightened, his tone somber. "Negan is the head of a group he calls the Saviors. As soon as our walls were built, the Saviors showed up. Gregory met with their boss, and he made a lot of demands. Even more threats. And he killed one of us—Rory. He was sixteen years old. Negan beat him to death right in front of us. Said we needed to understand, right off the bat."

The room fell silent, the weight of Jesus' words hanging heavily in the air.

"Gregory isn't good at confrontation," Jesus continued. "He's not a leader I would have chosen, but he helped build this place, and people like him."

Alyssa's eyes narrowed as she leaned forward slightly. "He made the deal?"

Jesus nodded. "Half of everything. Half of our livestock, food, medicine—whatever we have. It all goes to the Saviors."

Alyssa raised an eyebrow, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "And what do you get back in return?"

"They don't kill us," Jesus said simply, his tone laced with quiet frustration.

Alyssa scoffed, folding her arms tighter across her chest. "Well, why don't you just kill them?"

Jesus shrugged, shaking his head. "Most of us don't know how to fight. Even if we had the ammo."

Alyssa pressed further. "How many people does Negan have?"

Jesus hesitated. "I don't know. We've seen groups as big as 20."

The room fell into another brief silence before Daryl stepped forward, his voice sharp and filled with disdain. "Hang on. So they show up, kill a kid, and you give them half of everything? These dicks just got a good story. Boogeyman, he ain't shit."

Alyssa smirked slightly at Daryl's bluntness, but her eyes remained hard as she glanced back at Jesus, waiting for his response.

Jesus looked at Daryl and Alyssa with skepticism. "Well, how do you know?"

Abraham stepped forward, his voice blunt and matter-of-fact. "A month ago, Daryl, Alyssa, our friend Sasha, and I took his guys out. Left them in pieces in the middle of the road. Sent a pretty clear message."

Jesus raised an eyebrow, absorbing Abraham's words.

Alyssa stepped forward, her tone resolute and unwavering. "We'll do it. If we go get your man back, kill Negan, and take out his boys, would you hook us up? We want food, medicine, and one of those cows."

The rest of the group looked taken aback by her boldness. Maggie glanced at Glenn, her expression a mix of shock and apprehension. Michonne folded her arms. Daryl stood firm behind Alyssa, silently backing her up.

Rick, standing with his arms crossed, shrugged casually, his tone calm but firm. "Confrontation is something Alyssa and I have never had trouble with."

Jesus smirked slightly, clearly impressed by their confidence. "I'll take it to Gregory."