Fight The Dead, Fear The Living (Rick Grimes)

Chapter 23

It had been a while since Rick came out of the tombs and I just put the baby down for a nap. We seriously need a name for her. I made my way to the tombs, telling Daryl briefly that I was going to have another shot at getting Rick out of there.

As I walked warily down the hallways that seemed to be haunted by dead corpses, I kept an eye out for any movement, whether it was Rick or a walker. I'm hoping for the first option. I rounded a corner and came face to face with a walker.

I screamed from surprise as it dragged me down, I reached for my knife that dropped out of the holder I had as I fell. The walker was growing closer to my skin, my arms slowly buckling under the weight. Just as I was about to give up, a figure rounded the corner and pulled the walker off me.

I focused my eyes and saw Rick, he was all bloody, but he didn't have blood on his face. He helped me up after making the walker's head turn to mush.

"You shouldn't be down here. You need to leave." I shook my head, refusing.

"There's a boy upstairs who has spent the last few days without a mother or father. He doesn't show it but I have heard him crying in his cell at night. He needs you Rick. Come back." Everything I said is true. Carl likes to stay strong but when you're laid in the silence you cannot resist haunting thoughts, Especially if you put your own mother down.

"I can't go back." He said, I just shook my head.

"That's not true." I stated, grabbing his arm and dragging him out of the tombs.

--

After countless attempts Rick finally agreed and came back with me willingly. When people saw me emerge with Rick by my side, they were just plain shocked, like they didn't think I could do it... Thanks guys.

I left him there for a minute, getting Carl from his cell.

"Your dad's downstairs" I said, Carl shrugged.

"Why should I care? He left me and didn't check to see if I was ok-" I stopped him.

"That's not true. He came a few days ago but you weren't around. Now go see your father please, I know how you feel and it breaks my heart that you feel that way. I don't have my parents right now and you have no idea how much I wish I could be I with them right now." Carl stood and walked downstairs while I walked to my cell to look after the baby girl who currently has my full attention.

Walking down the cell steps towards Rick, the baby began crying. He looked up and saw her, a flash of realisation came onto his face.

"What's her name?" He asked, I shrugged.

"We thought you might want a say in it so we decided to wait until you got back." I stated, he nodded.

"Although, Carl has a few ideas." Rick looked over to Carl expectantly.

"Judith." He said, Rick smiled, taking the baby from my arms.

"I love it."