Bloodlines.

Chapter Eighteen: Alyssa Sacrifices herself to Negan.

Negan turned to Rick, his grin widening as he leaned closer. "Your two little angels stormed my sanctuary today. Took out three of my men," he said, his tone dripping with faux disappointment. "And you know what I did, Rick? I brought them home. And I fed them spaghetti." He gestured towards Alyssa and Carl, who stood silently on the porch.

Rick's head snapped up, his eyes darting to Alyssa and Carl. His face twisted with shock, anger, and a hint of desperation. "You did what?" he stammered.

Negan smirked, thoroughly enjoying the tension. "So how about another thank you?" he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Rick's lips tightened, and his shoulders slumped. His voice was low and firm, barely masking his fury. "Thank you... Your stuff is waiting for you at the gate. Just go."

Negan laughed loudly, clapping his hands together. "That's what I like to hear!" He turned to his men and shouted, "Daryl, come on! We're rolling out. Time to go back home!"

Daryl stumbled off the porch, his movements sluggish and hesitant. His eyes locked with Alyssa's for a brief moment, filled with regret and pain. Negan, ever the showman, glanced at Alyssa's face, waiting for the inevitable.

And it came.

"No." Alyssa's voice was sharp, cutting through the noise. Everyone turned to look at her, and she stepped forward, her eyes blazing. "Take me instead. Daryl stays here."

A tense silence hung in the air as the weight of her words sank in. Daryl froze, his head snapping towards her in disbelief. "No," he rasped, his voice barely audible.

Negan's grin grew even wider, a glint of triumph in his eyes. This was exactly what he wanted. He turned to Alyssa, clearly impressed. "You'd do that? For him?"

Alyssa didn't falter, her gaze locked on Negan's. "Yes. Take me. Let him stay."

Daryl stumbled forward, his movements frantic as he reached for Alyssa's arm. "No... no, don't," he pleaded, his voice rough and breaking.

Alyssa turned to him, her expression firm but her eyes betraying her pain. She grabbed his hand tightly, their grip locking together. "Yes. I'll go. Stay here. Look after Carl and Judith," she said firmly, her voice cracking ever so slightly. She nodded, trying to reassure him even as her own heart pounded in her chest.

Daryl tightened his grip on her hand, his mind racing through every moment they had shared over the last three years. Every argument, every hunt, every time they had fought side by side, all of it came flooding back. Most of all, the memory of that kiss in the basement burned in his mind—it had meant everything to him. Even if they were complicated, even if they couldn't figure it all out, he loved her.

He squeezed her hand, his eyes wide with desperation. "Don't," he said again, more forcefully this time, his voice raw with emotion.

Alyssa shook her head, her jaw clenched as tears threatened to spill. "I have to," she whispered, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

Negan stood to the side, leaning casually against Lucille, watching the interaction like a front-row spectator to a drama he had orchestrated. His grin stretched wider as he took in the raw emotions playing out before him, clearly entertained by the spectacle.

"Well, well, well..." Negan finally broke the silence, his voice dripping with amusement. "This is a real Hallmark moment, isn't it? I almost don't wanna interrupt..."

But his tone carried no real intention of stopping the unfolding drama as he let the tension hang heavy in the air.

Alyssa took a steady step toward Daryl, her face set in determination as everyone watched, stunned. She leaned in and kissed him gently on the forehead.