Safe haven | Rick Grimes

024. HER NAME IS JUDITH

Chapter twenty four

"Her name is Judith."

Carl, Hershel, Scarlett, and Beth followed closely behind Rick as he neared the fence. Carl broke into a run toward the gate, everyone watching anxiously as the walkers finally noticed the woman.

Sensing the danger, she backed away and pulled her katana. With a swift movement, she stabbed one of the monsters straight through the head.

"Should we help her?" Carl asked, looking over at his father.

Rick hesitated, his face tight as he weighed the risk.

The woman defended herself, taking down another walker, but her movements grew sluggish. She stumbled and fell to the ground, only to force herself back up to fend off one more approaching threat. After pushing the last one away, her strength gave out completely, and she collapsed.

As two walkers moved toward her, Carl fired two precise shots, stopping them in their tracks. Rick reached the gate, calling out to his son. Carl turned and tossed the keys; Rick caught them and quickly worked the lock.

"Move," Rick urged as he threw the gate open.

He and Carl stepped out. Rick provided cover fire around the unconscious woman while Carl focused on clearing the walkers near the basket. Once the immediate area was secure, Rick knelt beside her to check for injuries.

From the other side of the fence, Hershel called out, "Is she bit?"

Rick performed a quick assessment. "Gunshot wound," he replied. He carefully lifted her up to carry her back toward the safety of the gate, making sure to retrieve her katana from the dirt.

They all hurried back up toward the safety of the prison block.

"Carl, get a blanket. Beth, water and a towel," Rick ordered.

"Alright," Beth said, immediately heading off to gather the supplies.

Carl returned with a blanket and spread it out on the floor. "Here?" he asked.

"She's not coming in the cell blocks," Rick replied firmly as he laid the unconscious woman down on the blanket.

Scarlett stood a short distance away, watching the scene unfold while keeping a tight, protective grip on the baby girl in her arms.

The woman started to stir, groaning in pain. "Whoa, whoa, steady now. Alright," Rick said, keeping his distance and placing her katana well out of her reach. Beth walked up and handed him the water and towel. "Thank you," Rick muttered. He soaked the towel and gently dabbed at her wound. "Hey, hey, it's alright. Look at me. Who are you?"

The woman's eyes snapped open. She immediately looked for her weapon and lunged to reach it. Rick kicked the sword further away and grabbed her arms to pin her down. "No. We're not gonna hurt you unless you try something stupid first, alright?"

"Rick," a voice called out.

Rick looked up to see Daryl walking into the room. Daryl stared down at the stranger, his bow ready. "Who the hell is this?"

Rick looked back down at the woman. "You wanna tell us your name?" The woman remained completely silent, glaring at him. "You wanna tell us your name?" Rick repeated, but he got nothing.

Daryl gestured toward the inner corridor. "Y'all come on in here."

Rick stood up and retrieved the katana. "Everything alright?"

"You're gonna wanna see this," Daryl said grimly.

Rick looked over at Scarlett and gave her a nod. "Go ahead." Scarlett, Beth, and Hershel turned and began walking into the cell block. Rick looked at his son. "Carl, get the bag." Carl grabbed the basket the woman had brought and followed the rest of the group inside.