Safe haven | Rick Grimes

118. WE'RE GOING BACK

Chapter one hundred and eighteen

"We're going back."

After pulling over to share an intimate, passionate moment together in the car, they get back on the road. Rick gently grabs Scarlett's hand, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles as they continue their drive.

They eventually pass through a rusted, open perimeter gate, spotting an abandoned cargo van parked ahead. Pulling up behind it, they step out to scavenge the vehicle. When they pop open the rear doors, a few loose supply boxes tumble out onto the asphalt. Scarlett kneels down and picks up one of the fallen packages, reading the label.

"Instant noodles," Scarlett says, a nostalgic smile breaking through. "Too bad we couldn't have found these years ago. I still remember when Carl almost ate dog food."

Rick scoffs, shaking his head. "I threw that can across the room the second I saw it."

"Mm-hmm," Scarlett teases with a smirk.

By the time the sun sinks below the horizon, they have set up camp inside a secure spot. They use a portable hot plate to boil a pot of the scavenged noodles, finally eating a warm meal together. Scarlett wears a comfortable brown jacket against the night chill, while Rick is dressed in a casual flannel. Leaning in closer, Rick drapes his arm around her shoulders. Scarlett turns to look at him, and they share a quiet, tender kiss in the firelight.

The next morning, having swapped their car for the more spacious cargo van, they continue their journey down the winding highway. The road stretches endlessly ahead, flanked on all sides by dense forests and sweeping mountain peaks.

They eventually pull off the road at an overgrown gas station to look for supplies. Exploring the perimeter, they discover an old soda machine entirely wrapped in thick tree branches and vines. Suddenly, a low, wet snarl cuts through the quiet air. They both freeze, pivoting toward the sound. Scarlett shifts her grip, smoothly sliding her tactical axe from her belt as she and Rick step forward together to handle the threat.

Getting back into the van, they resume their drive down the open highway. Rick downs a can of the scavenged soda, sets the empty can aside, and pulls out the picture of Carl, staring at it for a long, quiet moment.

They eventually pass a weathered wooden sign that reads Three Pines Trail: 10 Miles, before pulling up to an abandoned ranger station. They kill the engine and step out into the quiet wilderness. Rick approaches the main entrance and bangs loudly on the wooden door. When no sound answers from within, he turns the handle. The door swings open, and Scarlett steps inside with Rick following close behind, the heavy door slamming shut behind them.

While Rick walks straight ahead to scan the main hallway, Scarlett drifts to the left, looking at a collection of old nameplates on the wall. "Those damn license plates," she says, a soft smile breaking through. "Still can't believe Aaron had them displayed up in his house. Had poor Gracie memorizing all of them. She was scared of absolutely everything back then."

"Not our kids," Rick says, stepping up behind her.

"Only when they thought they were gonna die," Scarlett replies softly. Her eyes lock onto a deer head mounted on the wall, and her mind instantly flashes back to the day Carl was shot in the woods.

She is so caught up in the memory that she doesn't notice Rick spot a silver name necklace resting on a dusty shelf. He brushes the grime off the script letters—Scarlett—and slips it securely into his flannel pocket. He steps into her space, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.

"I know exactly what you're thinking about," he whispers, leaning down to press a soft kiss against her neck.

Scarlett closes her eyes, leaning back into him. "Well, it's hard to focus on the past with you standing right here."