Safe haven | Rick Grimes

030. WHEN THE KINGDOM IS SAFE

Chapter thirty

"When the kingdom is safe."

Two days had passed since their conversation on the walkway, and Rick hadn't brought it up again. Scarlett was left in limbo, entirely unsure if his silence was a good sign or a bad one.

There was no time to dwell on it, though, as the group had to focus on defense. Michonne had come up with a plan to string heavy wire across the field to pop the tires of any oncoming Woodbury vehicles. While Michonne, Glenn, Daryl, and Beth worked out in the open field to secure the traps, Scarlett, Maggie, and Carl took up positions along the inner fence to keep the walkers distracted.

"Hey! Over here!" Maggie shouted, slamming a metal spoon against a heavy pot.

"Come on! Right here!" Carl yelled, adding to the noise.

"Here! Over here!" Scarlett joined in, her arms aching from banging the makeshift noisemakers against the chain-link barrier. The metallic clanging echoed across the yard, successfully drawing the dead away from the work detail out in the field.

In the distance, Daryl's motorcycle roared to life. The field crew finished securing the wires and began heading back toward the prison. Seeing them move, Scarlett, Carl, and Maggie stopped their shouting, dropped the pots, and hurried back through the inner gate to meet them along the secured pathway.

Maggie grabbed the gate, swinging it shut and locking it securely behind them as the rest of the group filed into the courtyard.

Waiting for them at the top of the path was Rick. His eyes immediately found Scarlett, his gaze lingering for a fraction of a second before he looked over at Daryl.

"Let's go," Rick said shortly.

Without another word, he turned, leading the silent and exhausted group back inside the prison walls.

Once back inside, Scarlett headed straight for the cell block to check on Judith. The moment she walked in, the baby cooed and reached her tiny arms up. Scarlett let out a soft chuckle, scooping her up out of the crib and resting her securely against her hip.

Holding Judith with one arm, Scarlett walked down to the cafeteria to prepare a fresh bottle. She deftly scooped the formula and poured the water using her free hand, shaking the bottle tight before heading back toward the cells. On her way, she passed Hershel, Maggie, and Beth, offering them a quiet nod as she slipped back into the privacy of her cell.

She sat down on the edge of the mattress, cradling Judith close, and offered her the bottle. A gentle smile touched Scarlett's lips as she watched the baby drink. To soothe the child—and perhaps to comfort herself—she began to speak in a quiet, melodic voice.

"Once upon a time, there was a brave king who lived with his family in a magnificent kingdom made of stone," she murmured softly. "His only job was to keep everyone inside safe and loved. But far out on the rocky shores lived a ruthless pirate captain with only one eye. He envied the king and wanted to take the stone kingdom for his own."

Judith blinked up at her, her little eyes fixed on Scarlett's face. Scarlett paused briefly to set the empty bottle down on the mattress next to them, keeping her arms wrapped tightly around the baby.

"Armed with a fierce crew, the pirate captain planned to storm the castle walls," Scarlett continued, her voice dropping to a gentle whisper. "But when he and the king met out on the shore, the captain offered him a choice. He demanded the king hand over a stowaway—a traveler who had escaped the pirate's ship and sought refuge in the castle. But the king refused to let her go. He knew she was a part of their kingdom now. So, the brave king decided he would fight until all their enemies were vanquished, and the kingdom was safe once more."