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FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS, Juliet saw something close to joy on Rick's face. As they stood at the edge of the prison grounds, he looked up at the looming walls, his eyes bright with a kind of reckless hope. A rare smile tugged at his mouth, breaking through the hardened mask they'd all grown used to.
Rick's hands worked quickly, the bolt cutters biting through the barbed wire with sharp, clean snaps.
Behind him, the group spread out in a defensive line, everyone on high alert, weapons ready. Daryl stood by Rick's side, crossbow aimed and steady, keeping watch as Rick cut. Walkers began to gather at the edges, drawn by the sound and the sight of fresh movement. Juliet moved to Rick's other side, her bow drawn, scanning the shifting shadows for anything that came too close.
One walker lurched forward, and with a swift release, her arrow embedded itself into its skull, dropping it instantly. She didn't miss a beat, her gaze already shifting to the next threat.
On instinct, Juliet's gaze found Amir and Carl. They stood with their weapons just as Daryl had shown them—high, steady, eyes sweeping left to right, ready for anything. Her heart settled slightly at the sight of them. They were good.
Nearby, Glenn and Maggie worked side by side, swinging their makeshift weapons with precision—old garden tools now repurposed for survival. Each strike clean, each movement sharp.
Finally, Rick's cutters made a final snap, and he pulled the wire aside, creating a gap in the fence.
"Lori!" Juliet called, her voice carrying over the snarls of walkers. Lori moved quickly, her hand on her stomach, as Rick widened the opening, letting her slip inside.
Juliet stayed back, her bow raised, covering the group as they moved. "Go, go, go!" she urged, her voice steady despite the chaos.
One by one, they made it through—Daryl, Amir, Carl, Maggie, Carol, Beth, Herschel and then finally, T-Dog. Rick signaled her next, his eyes meeting hers, and Juliet nodded, slipping through the gap. Rick followed closely behind, and Glenn pulled wires across the opening, making a makeshift seal.
They were in.
Juliet grinned to herself, catching her breath as she made sure to clap hands with Carl and Amir.
But, they weren't finished yet...
Walkers continued to rattle the fences, as they all made a run for the the entrance gate.
"It's perfect." Rick breathed, placing a hand on Juliet's back, "Perfect..."
