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Chapter 1:

The wind blew through Cedar Baker's hair as she sat cross - legged in front of her father's final resting place.

The twenty - four year old was so caught up in her thoughts she didn't hear her uncle come up next to her until his leather jacket was gently placed over her bare shoulders.

"You gotta stop sitting in front of this thing everyday, It's not doing you any good". Miguel remarked gently some moments later.

Cedar sniffed and tore up some grass between her fingers. "I know it's been four years but I can't just get over it".

"I don't expect that, but sitting in front of this damn thing isn't helping". The older man replied gently.

"Everything was fine, Luca got better and we were safe, So why the hell did my dad have to blow his brains out?". Cedar asked with a sigh.

"His infection was getting worse". Miguel admitted. "I don't think he wanted to risk hurting either of you while he had his mind still intact".

"Yeah, I guess". Cedar mumbled before getting up and jogging towards the Seattle, Washington based home they'd all been taking shelter in for the last week.

When she stepped inside she saw Luca sitting on the bottom steps that led to the second floor of the home, the young man jumped up and walked towards her with a grin. "You okay?".

Cedar forced a smile on her face and nodded. "Wanna go on a supply run?".

Knowing this was code for Do you wanna check out the town with lavender and fancy houses, Luca nodded and picked up his backpack.

"We'll be back in a day or two". Cedar called out to Charlie Campbell and Benji Whittaker as she and Luca started heading back out the front door.

Cedar chuckled as neither of them gave her an answer, since they had become an official couple a year ago, both men basically spent every waking hour with just each other's company.

"Cece hurry up!". Luca called out impatiently as he hopped onto his bike, The young woman rolled her eyes playfully and settled herself behind him.

She could technically ride her own bike if she put in the effort but all it took was one disastrous fall last year for her to swear off wanting to learn any further.

Miguel stood on the porch with an anxious frown as the duo set off down the oddly quiet road with only the busted remains of the street signs to guide them along.

Mid afternoon arrived by the time Cedar and Luca pulled into the town called "Sequim". The first signs of lavender buds were pushing through the ground as the last weeks of winter faded away.

Luca pedaled for a while longer until he turned into a neighborhood with big, fancy houses, finally stopping at one two doors down from the entry gate.

"Stay behind me". Cedar whispered, pulling out her pistol as she jogged up the front steps of the home and carefully pulled open the front door.

They made it halfway through the foyer before they both spotted a tall guy with glasses sitting on the living room couch.

Luca scoffed as he glared at the tall bespectacled man. "Uncle Andy?".

The guy called Andy waved sheepishly. "Hi Luca".

"That's your uncle?, I thought he was dead... and deaf?". Cedar asked in complete confusion.

"Yeah, I thought so too". Luca snapped, glaring at his uncle.

Andy gave his nephew a guilty look. "I wasn't lying about being deaf, but my hearing is slowly starting to come back".

"And being dead?". Luca asked, folding his arms.

"I knew those military guys were after us, I guess I figured you'd be safer without me". Andy finished rather lamely.

Luca scoffed. "You thought a nine and a half year old could take care of himself during a fucking apocalypse, what are you fucking insane?!".

Andy looked down at the floor and rubbed his hands over his jeans. "I'm sorry I left, I just - Wait a minute, how are you even still alive?".

"Some doctors in Mexico gave me a transfusion, the virus isn't In me anymore". Luca explained.

"What the hell were you doing in Mexico?". Andy asked, adjusting his glasses as he spoke.

"Me and the rest of my family went there four years ago so I could get treated and just have a decent place to stay". Luca replied.

"You found a group to stay with?". Andy asked, his tone clearly reflecting relief.

"Yeah, my three uncles Miguel, Benji and Charlie have a place some hours away, and this is my sister Cedar". Luca introduced.

"Thanks for taking care of him". Andy said appreciatively, looking over at Cedar with a small smile.

Cedar nodded as Luca continued to recount all that had happened. "Cedar's dad, Boone Baker passed away four years ago so we've been staying in Seattle".

"I'm sorry". Andy told Cedar with a sympathetic look, oddly enough he wasn't even attempting to ask his nephew to take him along back to Seattle.

Luca cleared his throat roughly and uncrossed his arms. "You're welcome to come with us, but don't think for a minute that I forgive you for leaving me".

"Kid, if you would just let me explain -". Andy tried to plead as Luca cut him off.

"You left me alone for years, that shit is unforgivable". Luca snapped, slamming the front door behind him as he walked back outside without another word or look back at his uncle.

Author Note: Andy Price Is Played By Shane Madej.