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Chapter 10:

"Cedar". Ellie called out quietly as she and Lev watched Cedar get off the boat and start walking again once they had arrived in Los Angeles.

"Cedar!". Ellie finally snapped loudly, causing the young man to whirl around in shock and aggravation.

"If you're thinking about stopping me, It's too late for that". Cedar snapped back as he wrenched himself out of Ellie's grasp and continued walking.

"I just wanted to know if you have a plan". Ellie replied in an uncharacteristically small voice.

"We'll walk through the night and sleep for a couple hours once the sun comes up". Cedar explained as he continued leading Ellie and Lev through the main streets.

"What are you gonna do when you find Manny and Mel? You have a pistol with five bullets and a flimsy, sorry excuse of a knife". Ellie questioned.

Cedar's eyes narrowed at the insult against his beloved knife but kept calm as he responded. "Maybe they'll just put me out of my misery as soon as they see me".

"What about us?". Ellie asked, pointing between herself and Lev.

"What about you both?". Cedar spat back with a shrug. "If you don't recall, you guys willingly decided to follow me, so I assumed you knew what you'd be up against".

"I definitely didn't expect to be following someone who's suicidal, that's for sure". Ellie retorted as she folded her arms.

"I'm not suicidal". Cedar denied as casually as he could, his expression now conveying just the slightest bit of fear.

"When we were crossing through the yard I heard Uncle Iggy talking about you, You know what he said? He said, Cedar's half suicidal and not thinking rationally". Ellie rattled off.

"Well he's wrong". Cedar attempted to deny once more.

"He also said something about the fact that when you are suicidal, It's hard to snap you out of making stupid decisions". Ellie continued. "I'm starting to see what he meant".

"Fine!". Cedar snapped as he turned to face the younger girl. "I am suicidal alright? Are you happy now?".

"No, I'm not". Ellie replied bluntly as she sighed. "It's too late to head back to the Island so let's find shelter somewhere, You haven't eaten since yesterday".

Cedar just nodded numbly, suddenly aware of how weak and tired he really was as he allowed Ellie and Lev to guide him into Elysian Park, where they took shelter under a bridge.

Ellie managed to get a small fire going as Lev handed Cedar two granola bars and a half full bottle of water, With a loud groan scaring all three of them as they settled down for the night.

"Sounds like an infected". Cedar observed quietly, hoping it wouldn't be attracted by the flames from the fire.

"Common or Cordyceps?". Lev asked nervously.

"I don't know". Cedar admitted. "It sounds far away but it's way louder than any common infected I've heard".

"Could be a bloater". Ellie replied as another shriek sounded off.

"What's a bloater?". Cedar asked, struggling to contain his fear as a third shriek sounded off.

"It's another mutated Cordyceps infected, It's bigger than the other's and the fungal growth basically formed into armor, making it really difficult to kill". Ellie rattled off.

"Just great". Cedar mumbled, jumping as heavy footsteps stumbled across the bridge from above and yet another deep shriek sounded off.

Thinking quickly, Lev snuffed out the flames from the fire and pulled Cedar and Ellie against the very back of the bridge just as the Bloater landed onto the grass with a loud thud.

Back at the house in Catalina Joel immediately started to devise a plan as to how he and the rest of the group would get their three missing members back.

"I don't think all of us should go, It's best if just a few of us go". Joel rattled off.

"While the rest of us just sit here and stare at each other wondering what the hell's going on? I don't think so!". Luca protested.

"In that case, you're welcome to come with me". Joel replied calmly. "Anyone else?".

"Me". Tommy volunteered.

Joel shook his head and fixed his little brother with a glare. "Absolutely not, I'm not letting you get -".

"I won't get hurt again, not if you're with me". Tommy interrupted. "If Mel and Manny do find those kids, I want to confront them myself".

Joel stared at Tommy for a moment longer before slowly nodding his head. "Alright, but you follow my lead, understood?".

Tommy nodded as Benji spoke up. "Once we're able to reach Seattle I'll take Boone, Tony, Miguel, Rocky & Rio out to a safe house that's in Bowen Island, It's a little over a two day walk".

"You're the best with medical help, we'll need you if one of the kids is hurt when we find them". Joel replied.

"I can get us to Bowen Island, you said a two day walk right? I can handle being in charge that long". Miguel volunteered.

"Just keep Rio safe, please". Rocky said quietly, looking over at Miguel.

"You're coming with us?". Tommy questioned.

"I care about all three of those kids, not just Lev". Rocky replied. "Besides, I've got some unfinished business with Manny".

Joel looked surprised by Rocky's firmness but ultimately nodded as he looked around at everyone. "I think that settles it, any questions?".

Boone hesitated a moment before raising his hand and speaking up. "When we do find the kids, what are we gonna do with them?".

Joel ran a hand over his face and heaved a long sigh, a small smirk upon his lips as he spoke. "That is.. to be determined".