Sasha and Maggie led Aaron back to the barn, Sasha holding his weapon slung over her shoulder while Maggie carried his pack. Aaron walked between them with his hands raised slightly, his demeanor calm but cautious. As they approached the barn, the group inside stirred, the sound of the doors creaking open waking anyone still asleep.
"Everyone," Maggie said carefully, glancing at the group before motioning to Aaron. "This is Aaron."
Aaron raised his hands higher, offering a faint, non-threatening smile. "Morning," he said evenly, his voice calm despite the tension in the barn. "I'm Aaron. And I'm not here to hurt anyone."
Rick stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he sized Aaron up. His voice was low, laced with hostility. "You're walkin' into our barn. Our home for the night. Tell me why you're really here."
Aaron kept his voice steady, meeting Rick's intense gaze. "I'm here to invite you to a community. A safe place. I believe you'd be a good fit."
Rick scoffed, his hand tightening on his revolver. "A safe place? You expect us to believe that?"
"I know it's hard to trust," Aaron replied, his tone calm but firm. "But I'm not lying. I'm here to help."
Rick didn't back down, stepping closer, his presence towering. "What's your angle? What do you get out of this?"
Aaron hesitated, his hands still raised. "Nothing. I'm not looking for anything except to bring good people into a safe place. That's all."
Alyssa stood silently off to the side, her eyes fixed on Aaron. Normally, she'd be the first to voice skepticism, to question someone's motives and poke holes in their story. Ruthlessness came naturally to her in situations like this. But this time... this time, something was different. There was something about Aaron that made her pause. Something about him felt real.
Her mind screamed at her to trust him, even when everything else in her told her to be cautious. She stepped forward slightly, her sharp gaze softening as she spoke. "Why us?" she asked, her voice even but curious. "What makes you think we're worth the risk?"
Aaron's eyes flicked to Alyssa, studying her for a moment. He noted the way she carried herself—strong, sharp, unyielding. She reminded him of Rick, not just in looks but in the weight she seemed to carry. A leader in the making, even if she didn't realize it.
"You're strong," Aaron said simply, his tone sincere. "Your group survived the storm. You're organized. You're a good fit for our community. You'd make us stronger."
His eyes lingered on Alyssa for a moment longer, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "And you," he added, "you look like your father."
Alyssa stiffened slightly, glancing at Rick, whose expression darkened. "You know who I am?" she asked, her voice sharp now, her guard starting to rise again.
"I know you look like him," Aaron clarified quickly, his voice calm. "You have his strength. It's clear. That's why I think you'd be good for the community."
Rick's jaw tightened as he stepped in front of Alyssa, his hostility rising again. "You don't know us," he growled. "You don't know anything about us."
"I know enough," Aaron replied, holding his ground. "I know you're survivors. And I know you're worth trusting."
Sasha tossed Rick Aaron's pack, the weight of it hitting his chest with a thud. He caught it without looking away from Aaron, his jaw clenched tight. Rick's distrust was palpable, but Aaron remained calm, his hands still raised slightly in a gesture of peace.
"Our community is called Alexandria," Aaron explained, his voice steady but patient as though he'd rehearsed this introduction a hundred times. "It's safe. There are walls, houses, running water. It's not perfect, but it's secure. It's home."
The group shifted uneasily, their skepticism thick in the air, but Alyssa stepped forward, cutting through the tension. "How do we know you're telling the truth?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with authority. Her sharp eyes locked onto Aaron's, and though she wasn't outwardly hostile, her words carried weight. "We've heard stories like this before, and they don't end well."
Aaron's gaze flicked to Alyssa, his demeanor unchanged. "I brought proof," he said, motioning slightly toward the pack now in Rick's hands. "Photos of Alexandria, of the people, the walls. It's all there."
Rick opened the pack, pulling out the photos and flipping through them quickly. His brow furrowed as he examined the images, clearly not convinced. "Could be fake," he muttered under his breath.
Alyssa stepped closer, peering at the photos over Rick's shoulder. She could feel his tension, the bubbling animosity between them threatening to spill over. But she didn't back down. "You said this place has walls?" she pressed, her focus still on Aaron.
"Yes," Aaron replied. "Tall, strong walls. They've kept us safe from walkers—and people—for a long time."
The rest of the group seemed to hold their breath, watching Alyssa take charge. It was unusual for her to step into this role, especially with Rick present, but no one interrupted her. Even Daryl stayed quiet, though his sharp eyes tracked every movement, every word exchanged between Alyssa and Aaron. He could feel something unspoken passing between them, a connection he couldn't quite place.
Alyssa tilted her head slightly, studying Aaron. There was something about him—something that made her instinctively want to trust him. It wasn't just his calm demeanor or his well-rehearsed words. It was something deeper, something she couldn't piece together but felt in her gut.
"You found us in the middle of a storm," Alyssa said, her tone challenging but not unkind. "Why take the risk? Why now?"
Aaron's expression softened slightly, his sincerity clear. "Because I've been watching your group. I've seen how you move, how you work together. You're strong, organized, and you don't leave anyone behind. You're exactly the kind of people Alexandria needs."
His gaze lingered on Alyssa again, and he added, "And you—you stand out. You've got the same strength your father has. That's rare."
The words hung in the air, the tension between Rick and Alyssa now a palpable undercurrent. Alyssa didn't flinch at the comparison, but she didn't respond either, her expression unreadable.
"The walls are twelve feet high," Aaron said, holding up a photo. "Steel panels. They've kept everything out since the beginning. And the people—good people. Families, kids—they're safe there."
Alyssa tilted her head slightly, taking in every word, every detail. "Why us?" she asked again, her voice quieter but steady. "Why now?"
Aaron opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Rick shoved past Alyssa, his face hard with suspicion and anger. Without hesitation, he swung the butt of his revolver, connecting with Aaron's head. Aaron crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
"What are you doing?" Alyssa shouted, her voice echoing through the barn as she immediately dropped to her knees beside Aaron. "Rick! What the hell was that?"
Her hands hovered over Aaron as she checked his head, looking for signs of serious injury. The group stood in stunned silence, their eyes darting between Alyssa and Rick. It wasn't like her to react this way—not to a stranger, not to someone she should have been as wary of as Rick was.
Maggie and Sasha quickly moved to join her, helping to check on Aaron. Maggie glanced up at Rick, her brow furrowed. "Was that really necessary?"
Rick ignored the question, his gaze cold and fixed on Aaron's pack. "Daryl," he barked, motioning to the bag. "Go through it. Find out what else he's hiding."
Daryl hesitated for a moment, glancing at Alyssa as she knelt protectively over Aaron. Her reaction gave him pause, but Rick's voice was sharp, cutting through his hesitation. "Now."
Daryl moved to the pack, rummaging through it carefully. His hand brushed against something hard and metallic. When he pulled it out, his eyes narrowed—a flare gun. He held it up for everyone to see.
"There are others," Rick said, his tone dark and certain. "He's not alone. He's got people waitin' for him out there. Watchin' us. This isn't a rescue—it's a trap."
Alyssa looked up at Rick, her expression fierce. "You don't know that!" she snapped, her voice carrying an edge of defiance.
As Aaron began to stir, Alyssa gently helped him sit up, her hand steady on his shoulder. His eyes fluttered open, his face soft with confusion and pain.
Alyssa studied him closely, taking in the details she hadn't noticed before. His features were clean—too clean compared to the rest of them. No dirt caked on his skin, no scars from close calls. His clothes were spotless, unweathered, as though he hadn't been living the same harsh reality they had.
Everything about him, from his calm demeanor to his measured words, felt genuine. What he was saying about Alexandria—about the walls, the safety—it wasn't just a story. It was the truth. It had to be.
As her sharp gaze met Aaron's hazy one, something clicked. A deeper understanding passed between them, unspoken but undeniable. She didn't know why she hadn't seen it before, but now it was so clear it almost startled her.
Aaron wasn't just anyone. He was someone like her.
He was gay.
Alyssa's breath hitched slightly, the realization settling over her like a quiet epiphany. It wasn't something he said or did—it was a feeling, an unspoken connection she could sense in him. Maybe it was in the way he carried himself, or the faint softness in his eyes when he spoke. Whatever it was, it felt familiar. Like seeing her reflection in someone else for the first time.
They were the same.
Aaron blinked, his eyes focusing on Alyssa's face. His voice was groggy but steady. "You're... still here?" he asked, his tone filled with cautious surprise.
"Yeah," Alyssa replied, her voice softer than usual. "I wasn't gonna leave you on the ground."
Aaron managed a faint smile, wincing slightly as he sat up straighter. "Thanks," he murmured. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, as though he, too, sensed the unspoken understanding between them.
Alyssa glanced briefly at the others, who were still watching the scene unfold, then back at Aaron. She leaned in slightly, her voice quiet but firm. "They don't trust you," she said plainly. "But I do."
Aaron's eyes widened slightly, his gratitude clear. "Thank you," he said softly, his voice carrying more weight than the simple words. There was a flicker of recognition in his expression, as though he knew exactly what Alyssa had realized about him—and maybe, what he had realized about her too.
Rick's voice cut through the tense atmosphere like a knife. "Get up, Alyssa. Now."
Alyssa froze for a moment, her jaw tightening, but she didn't move right away. She glanced up at Rick, her eyes blazing with defiance. "Rick, I—"
"I said now," Rick snapped, his tone leaving no room for argument. The tension between them, always simmering, was boiling over.
Daryl shifted uncomfortably, a frown tugging at his lips. He couldn't understand why Alyssa, usually the sharpest and most skeptical in the group, was suddenly so soft on this stranger. Hell, none of them could. Even he felt uneasy watching her defend Aaron so fiercely. "Alyssa," he muttered, his voice low but firm. "Come on."
Alyssa clenched her jaw, reluctantly moving to her feet. She stepped back slightly, her arms crossed, but her eyes stayed on Aaron. There was something about him she couldn't shake, something telling her he was telling the truth.
Aaron, still sitting on the ground, raised his hands cautiously, his voice calm but urgent. "I'm here with someone else. His name is Eric. We parked cars about a mile from here. If you don't believe me—if you want to see Alexandria for yourselves—I'll take you. I'm not lying."
Rick's eyes narrowed, the tension in his body unrelenting. "You've got people out there waiting for us. This is a trap."
"It's not a trap," Aaron said firmly, his hands still raised. "You're strong people. Good people. I want to bring you to safety. That's all."
Michonne, who had been watching quietly, stepped forward. She placed herself between Rick and Aaron, her expression calm but decisive. "Maybe we check out those cars," she suggested, her tone level but pointed. "If he's telling the truth, we'll know. If it's a trap, we'll handle it."
Rick turned to her, his jaw tightening. "You're willing to trust this guy?"
"I'm willing to see if he's lying," Michonne countered, her gaze steady. "If we don't check, we'll never know. What if Alexandria is real, Rick? What if this is the chance we've been waiting for?"
Rick stared at her, the conflict in his eyes clear. He hated the risk, hated the idea of leading his people into something unknown, but Michonne's logic was hard to ignore. The rest of the group exchanged glances, uncertainty written across their faces.
Alyssa stepped forward again, her voice breaking the silence. "She's right, Rick. We can't keep running forever. If there's even a chance he's telling the truth, we need to take it."
Rick looked at her, his frustration bubbling over but his resolve wavering. He didn't like it—didn't like the way Alyssa was taking charge, the way she seemed so drawn to Aaron—but he couldn't ignore the logic in their arguments.
After a tense moment, Rick finally gave a sharp nod. "Michonne, Daryl, go with him. Check out those cars. See if he's lying."
Aaron lowered his hands slowly, nodding in understanding. "Thank you," he said softly. "You won't regret this."
Michonne motioned for Daryl, who grabbed his crossbow and stepped toward her, his expression still hard. The two of them moved to the barn doors, Aaron following behind cautiously.
As Michonne and Daryl prepared to leave with Aaron, Alyssa stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension. "I'm coming," she said, her tone decisive. "I don't want anything getting messy out there."
Daryl turned toward her, his hand raised in a firm gesture to stop her. "No, Alyssa. You stay," he said, his voice low but resolute.
Alyssa's jaw clenched, her eyes narrowing. "Daryl—"
"No," he repeated, his gaze steady on hers. There was no room for negotiation. He wasn't trying to undermine her, but he wasn't going to let her take the risk either. "You stay here."
Aaron watched the exchange, his brows furrowing slightly as he tried to make sense of the dynamic. It was clear that Rick was her father—they looked almost identical—but the way Daryl spoke to her, the quiet authority laced with an unmistakable protectiveness, suggested a deeper connection. Aaron couldn't quite figure it out, but it was clear Daryl knew Alyssa better than most.
Alyssa let out a frustrated sigh, her hands balling into fists at her sides. She looked at Aaron, her gaze softening slightly. "I believe you," she said quietly, her voice steady despite her irritation. "I just want you to know that."
Aaron met her eyes, gratitude flickering across his face. "Thank you," he said, his tone sincere.
Daryl placed a hand on Alyssa's arm briefly, giving it a light squeeze. It wasn't much, but it was enough to let her know he appreciated her backing down, even if she didn't like it. Without another word, he turned and followed Michonne and Aaron out of the barn, the doors creaking shut behind them.
As soon as they were gone, the barn fell into an uneasy silence. Alyssa moved back toward the center of the space, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Rick watched her, his expression hard, and it didn't take long for the tension to bubble over.
"What the hell was that?" Rick said sharply, stepping toward her. His voice was low, but the anger in it was unmistakable.
Alyssa turned to face him, her eyes flashing with defiance. "What was what?"
"You, backin' him up," Rick snapped, his hand gesturing toward the now-closed barn doors. "You don't even know him, and you're already takin' his side? What if he's lying? What if this is a trap?"
"And what if it's not?" Alyssa shot back, her voice rising slightly. "What if he's telling the truth? We can't keep running forever, Rick. If this place is real, we need it."
Rick's jaw tightened, his frustration mounting. "You don't trust anyone. Not unless they prove themselves. But now? Now you're soft? Why him, Alyssa? What's so different about him?"
"It's just a feeling," she said finally, her voice steadier than she expected. "I can't explain it. I just know. He's safe. There's nothing negative behind his eyes. No lies, no angles. Just... safety."
Rick's expression hardened. "A feeling?" he repeated, disbelief dripping from his tone. "You're staking everything on a feeling?"
"Yes!" Alyssa snapped, stepping closer. "You've never trusted my instincts, but maybe you should start. Because this—this is different. I know it doesn't make sense, but I know I'm right."
Maggie and Glenn exchanged surprised glances, both of them visibly taken aback by how calm and firm Alyssa was being. It wasn't like her to show this kind of composure in a high-stakes situation. She was usually the sharpest voice in the room, the one to tear through any uncertainty with sarcasm or ruthless practicality. But now, she was measured, deliberate. And it threw them all off.
Even Carol, who usually stayed out of Rick and Alyssa's arguments, seemed surprised. She stood quietly to the side, her eyes flicking between Alyssa and Rick, clearly trying to process what she was seeing.
Rick shook his head, his frustration bubbling over. "This isn't like you, Alyssa. You don't trust people. You don't even trust me. But you trust him?"
Alyssa's eyes narrowed, her anger rising. "Yeah, Rick, I do," she shot back, her tone sharp. "Because unlike you, he's not just barking orders and expecting everyone to follow without question. He's offering us something—something we haven't had in a long time. Hope."
Rick flinched slightly at her words, but she didn't stop.
Her voice grew louder, more passionate. "And when Aaron gets us to that community," she said, her gaze sweeping over the group, "you can all look to me and not Rick."
The room fell silent as her words hung in the air. Alyssa had purposefully said Rick instead of Dad, her voice dripping with disdain. It was a deliberate choice, one that made it clear she no longer saw him as her father. Not after everything they'd been through. Not after the things he'd said and done.
Rick's face hardened, the weight of her words hitting him like a blow. He clenched his jaw, his fists tightening at his sides, but he didn't say anything. He couldn't. The rift between them had grown too wide, and for the first time, it felt like there was no way to bridge it.
The group was clearly shaken, not just by Alyssa's defiance but by the clarity and conviction in her voice. She wasn't a kid trying to prove herself anymore—she was stepping into a role of leadership, whether anyone was ready for it or not.