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Chapter 8:

Cedar watched in silent fear/horror as an unfamiliar infected stumbled its way into the shop, continuously making odd clicking noises as it limped around.

He was about to ask Joel what this odd looking infected was but was unable to as both Joel and Rocky shook their heads, urging him to keep quiet.

As the strange infected ambled closer, Cedar was finally able to get a good look at it. Its lower half was still human - like but its face had been horribly disfigured by grayish - orange fungal growth.

The group had nearly made it to the back entrance of the shop before Luca stepped on a broken shard of glass, causing the strange infected to shriek and run towards him.

Thankfully, Rocky and Joel were able to gun it down, allowing for them all to run out of the shop and regroup in the streets.

"What the hell was that thing?". Cedar asked as he patted Alice's head for comfort.

"A Clicker, one of the mutated infected from the Cordyceps infection". Joel explained. "The fungal growth rendered them blind so they use echolocation to track their surroundings".

"It takes about a year for a person infected with the Cordyceps infection to turn into a Clicker, so It's safe to assume the island was more populated than we thought". Rocky rattled off.

"It was a Firefly base right? Half of these infected are probably Firefly members". Cedar guessed as the group started walking back to the house.

"With any luck, maybe Manny and Mel have gotten infected by now". Luca remarked with a shrug.

"Maybe". Joel replied as he opened the front door to the house and walked inside, where Miguel immediately engulfed him in a hug.

"Where the hell have you guys been?". He asked, his eyes wide with concern once he pulled back from the hug.

"Supply run, it took a bit longer than expected". Joel replied, trying to keep his voice steady as he led Miguel back into the living room.

"Are you sure nothing happened? Cause none of you look okay right now". Miguel questioned suspiciously, noticing how pale Cedar and Luca were looking.

"Iggy, we're fine, alright?". Joel interrupted firmly as he made Miguel sit down on the couch whilst gesturing for the other's to gather around.

"What's happening?". Miguel asked nervously.

Joel smiled and eased himself onto one knee and took the ring out of his shirt pocket. "I've never been one for long speeches, and quite honestly I don't think my knee can handle being in this position for very long so I'll cut to the chase, Miguel Baker, will you marry me?".

Happy tears sprung to Miguel's eyes as he eagerly nodded, sniffling as Joel slid the ring onto his finger before pulling him in for a kiss while everyone else cheered.

"Did you guys know about this?". Miguel asked, looking between Cedar, Luca and Lev.

"We just found out like an hour and a half ago". Cedar replied, playfully putting his hands up in mock surrender as Miguel ruffled his hair.

"I've known since this morning". Boone admitted with a proud grin. "Joel asked for my blessing and everything".

Miguel smiled a bit before a look of confusion flitted across his face. "Where did you find a ring that's still in good condition? You didn't snag it from a Walker did you?".

Joel playfully rolled his eyes and laughed a bit as he responded. "I did consider that course of action but no, Cedar found it in a jewelry store".

"Well thank you, I love it!". Miguel said, pulling his beloved nephew into a side hug as he admired the ring.

"Ceed? You okay?". Tony asked, seeing that the young man wasn't really paying much attention to the festivities anymore.

"What? Oh yeah, I - I'm fine". Cedar stuttered out, shifting uncomfortably as everyone stared at him.

"Are you sure?". Rocky questioned, taking notice of Alice intently sniffing around Cedar's torn right sleeve.

"I said I'm fine!". Cedar snapped as he got up from the couch and headed towards the staircase.

"Where are you going?". Boone asked, totally concerned about his son's sudden attitude change.

"I'm going to lay down, my head really hurts all of a sudden". Cedar replied, coughing violently as he stumbled up the staircase and walked into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him as he went.

"I'll talk to him". Ellie said, getting up from her own seat and padding up the stairs with Lev on her heels.

"What the hell just happened?". Tony asked in disbelief.

"When we were at the jewelry store we got cornered by one of the Cordyceps infected". Joel started off.

"What are you getting at?". Boone asked quietly.

A look of horror crossed over Joel's face as he looked up and faced the group. "Cedar's been bitten".