Bloodlines.

Chapter Twenty Eight: Rick and Alyssa Agree they need to go to war.

Back in Alexandria, Alyssa jolted awake in her room, her breathing uneven and her body trembling. She sat up slowly, clutching herself as if trying to hold together the pieces that felt like they were falling apart. The weight of what Simon had done to her lingered like a shadow, haunting her throughout the long, restless night. No matter how much she tried to push it away, the memories clawed their way back, leaving her feeling fragile and raw.

Downstairs, the faint sounds of movement reminded her she wasn't alone. Rick, Michonne, and Carl were already awake, their voices muffled but steady. She had heard Aaron leave late last night, his gentle words assuring her she needed to rest. But rest was the last thing she'd found. Instead, her mind had replayed the horrors of her captivity, Simon's cruel smirk etched into her thoughts like a scar.

Alyssa swung her legs over the side of the bed, her body aching not from physical wounds but from the heavy burden she carried. She felt broken, shattered in a way she didn't know could ever be mended. But deep down, beneath the pain and fear, a fire still flickered. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep her moving.

She had made a promise—to herself and to Negan, the man who had handed her back to Alexandria, burdened by his own twisted guilt. She would kill him. She would end this. Not just for herself, but for Glenn, for Abraham, and for everyone Negan and his Saviors had taken from them.

Alyssa tightened her fists, her resolve hardening as she stood. She knew she was far from ready. She felt fragile and worn, but she had to try. The promise she'd made wasn't just for revenge—it was for the future, for a life free from Negan's shadow.

She glanced out the window at the quiet streets of Alexandria. It looked peaceful now, but she knew peace wouldn't last until this war was over—and she intended to see it through, no matter the cost.

Alyssa stood in the middle of her room, her hands trembling slightly as she reached for the clothes Negan had given her—the clothes that had served as a constant reminder of her time at the Sanctuary. She felt the fabric against her skin, heavy with memories she desperately wanted to forget. Her jaw tightened as she stripped them off, her breath shaky but determined.

She threw the clothes into the corner of the room, kicking them away as though trying to banish the memories along with them. Her chest heaved as she forced herself to take steady breaths. She crouched down and reached under her bed, her fingers finding the small stash of clothes she had hidden away. She pulled out a pair of fresh jeans and a black tank top, the familiar fabric feeling like a small step toward reclaiming herself.

As she stood up to dress, her eyes caught the mirror hanging on the wall. She froze, her reflection drawing her attention like a magnet. Fresh bruises had started to bloom across her skin, dark and angry reminders of what Simon had done. Her wrists bore the marks of his grip, the skin tender and raw. Bruises spread over her shoulders, and above her hips—each one a testament to his cruelty.

Her body began to tremble, the weight of it all crashing down on her again. She felt the sting of tears threatening to spill but refused to let them fall. Her hands shook as she pulled the tank top over her head, forcing herself to carry on. She couldn't let herself break—not now. She had to keep moving forward.

Alyssa tore her gaze from the mirror and finished getting dressed. She clenched her fists at her sides, steadying herself, willing the fire in her chest to burn brighter than the pain and fear. She couldn't change what had happened, but she could decide what came next.

And what came next was making Simon—and Negan—pay for what they'd done.

Alyssa descended the stairs, each step feeling heavier than the last. When she reached the kitchen, she found Rick, Michonne, and Carl already there. Michonne was cradling Judith, who perked up at the sight of Alyssa, her innocent smile a brief reprieve from the weight Alyssa carried.