Beneath Broken Skies

Chapter Twelve: Negan Reunites With Alyssa.

The group arrived near the apartment complex just as the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the clearing. They left a large distance between themselves and the complex, settling the wagons and tethering the horses in the woods opposite.

Carlson climbed down from his wagon, pulling out a pair of binoculars. Alyssa, Aaron, and Gabriel jumped out as well, scanning the area warily.

Carlson peered through the binoculars for a moment, then lowered them with an enthusiastic grin. "You feel that? That rush? That mix of dopamine and adrenaline—just MHM." He clapped his hands together, his tone dripping with excitement. "It's that anticipation. Knowing you're about to change lives. You, you, and you," he said, pointing at each of them. "Today, we're gonna make the world just a little bit better than it was yesterday."

Alyssa raised an eyebrow, biting back the sarcastic retort that was sitting on the tip of her tongue. Normally, she wouldn't have held back, but she was trying—for Aaron's sake.

Aaron, however, looked confused. His brow furrowed as he glanced between Carlson and the apartment complex. "I thought you said these were just a group of friendly settlers. This place doesn't look friendly," he said, his tone skeptical.

Carlson turned to him with a grin. "You don't think so?"

"No," Aaron replied bluntly.

"Well, what if they aren't?" Carlson said, his smile never faltering. "If they're angry, it just means they're afraid. But when they meet you, and Grimes, and little Father Gabriel here? They won't be. Man, I cannot wait to watch you three do your thing!"

With that, Carlson strode off, leaving the trio standing in silence.

Gabriel glanced at Alyssa and Aaron, his expression uneasy. "Is he coming in with us?"

Aaron shook his head. "He usually does, but he won't do any of the talking. We'll have backup nearby if things go south."

Alyssa folded her arms, her gaze following Carlson as he walked off. "Let's just hope we don't need it," she muttered, her tone low.

Gabriel gave a small nod, but the unease between them lingered as they prepared to approach the complex.

Before the group could move toward the apartment complex, Aaron glanced around and noticed the troopers setting up camp in the woods. His brow furrowed. "Hang on—are they setting up camp?" he shouted toward Carlson.

Carlson turned, flashing him an easy grin. "That they are."

"So... they're not coming with us?" Aaron asked, his tone incredulous.

"Well," Carlson said, gesturing vaguely, "better not spook the natives. Don't worry, they're just a trip away." He held up his walkie and spoke into it. "Sergeant Crowe, do you copy?"

"Copy, sir," came a reply—startlingly close, as the trooper in question stepped out from behind him.

"You see?" Carlson said, waving toward the trooper. "It's all good. And besides, we've got our very own Officer Grimes." He gestured toward Alyssa with a grin that only made her narrow her eyes.

Gabriel scanned the complex again, his unease growing. "Yeah, I'm not doing this. Places like that normally have some old man inside with a shotgun, just looking for an excuse to kill the first dumbass who steps on his lawn. It practically screams 'Do Not Disturb.'"

"Yeah, I agree," Alyssa chimed in, her arms crossed tightly.

Aaron nodded reluctantly, his jaw tightening. "I'm not so sure about this either. It might be better to just leave them alone."