Safe haven | Rick Grimes

031. A PEACEFUL LIFE

Chapter thirty one

"A peaceful life."

Six months had passed since the fall of Woodbury. In that time, the prison runs consistently brought back new survivors to join the community. Eventually, Hershel pulled Rick away from the supply runs, guiding him and Carl into a quiet life of farming. Together, they learned to cultivate the land, raise pigs, tend to horses, and catch their own food.

With Rick stepping down as leader, governance shifted to a newly formed council. Hershel, Glenn, Daryl, and Sasha now shared the burden of making decisions for the group.

Meanwhile, Michonne remained restless, constantly coming and going on her hunt for the Governor. Every time she returned, she brought back comic books for Carl, who would stay up late into the night reading them by flashlight.

Scarlett dedicated most of her days to caring for Judith, watching the baby grow rapidly before their eyes. When Scarlett wasn't with Judith, she was with Rick. Ever since their first kiss, the two had been inseparable, sneaking away at every available moment to have sex together.

Instead of sharing the cramped prison bunks, the two had moved a mattress onto the floor, surrounding themselves with blankets and pillows. Judith's crib sat securely against the far wall. They were lying there together, naked and tangled in the sheets, when Rick's alarm suddenly shattered the morning quiet.

Scarlett blindly reached out her hand and smacked the button to shut it off. "I can't believe you have to go," she groaned.

Rick rolled over and kissed her. Scarlett kissed him back warmly, locking her arms around his neck.

"Maybe you could come out and check the snares with me today," Rick suggested against her lips.

Scarlett hummed softly and chuckled. "Sounds romantic."

"Very," Rick smiled, kissing her once more before pulling away.

He stood up and began to get changed. Scarlett immediately sank back into the pillows, figuring that if Judith wasn't awake yet, she wasn't moving either.

Once dressed, Rick kneeled back down beside her. "If you don't start getting dressed, I'm going to have to climb right back into this bed with you," he warned.

Scarlett smirked up at him. "Then who would check on your soybeans?"

Rick didn't hesitate. He climbed right back on top of her, making Scarlett laugh as he pulled her into another kiss.

Soon after, Rick finally headed out. Scarlett got out of bed, changed her clothes, and lifted Judith from her crib. She walked outside to the courtyard where the community was eating breakfast. Grabbing a bowl of cereal, she sat down, alternating bites between herself and the baby.

Once they finished, Scarlett carried Judith back inside. She placed her gently on the floor and handed her the wooden horse that Daryl had carved for her. Turning toward her gear, Scarlett picked up her holster and strapped it securely around her waist. If Rick was insisting on going outside the gates without his gun these days, she was absolutely going to carry hers. She leaned down, kissed Judith on the forehead, and walked out to meet him.

To her relief, Rick actually had his gun with him today. The two headed past the fences and into the quiet woods. Rick pulled a rabbit from the first snare and slipped it into his bag. As they walked toward the next trap, they stumbled upon a dead boar swarming with flies.

Usually, the sight of decay didn't bother her, but the sudden, heavy stench made Scarlett's stomach violently turn. She instantly slapped a hand over her mouth, fighting back a wave of nausea.