Error 40 (Book 3)

Heartbeat Amongst The Horde

Cedar quickly but carefully knelt next to her injured uncle, pressing two fingers against his wrist to confirm that his pulse was still steadily thumping.

"Kid?". Miguel whispered weakly as Cedar carefully helped him into a sitting position against the wall.

"I'm right here, what the hell were you thinking? You promised you wouldn't leave". Cedar scolded in a whisper as she stared at her uncle's mangled face.

"I - I'm sorry, I just can't stop thinking about them". Miguel replied softly, releasing a tiny sob as he spoke.

Despite her anger, Cedar's expression softened a bit as she looked around the basement. There were piles of guns, knives and ammo but no food or water.

"Alright, we gotta get back upstairs". Cedar instructed, trying to sound authoritative despite the many emotions whizzing through her.

Miguel nodded and pressed a hand against the wall to steady himself as he slowly got to his feet, he managed to get himself standing before his back hit the wall from how weak he was.

Cedar carefully placed his arm around her shoulders as they walked over to the wooden staircase.

"This looks familiar doesn't it?". Cedar joked in a slightly breathless voice, alluding to when she and Miguel had first met and she had to help him around due to his leg injury.

It took nearly five minutes but the duo eventually managed to make it up to the main level of the beach house. Once Cedar deposited Miguel on the couch she started scouring for food and water.

"What the hell were they gonna do, have a party after they killed you?". The young woman asked incredulously, spotting five full bottles of vodka in one of the lower cabinets.

Thankfully Cedar did manage to find a can of peaches and a bottle of water, both of which Miguel managed to keep down.

Once that matter was settled Cedar went back into the kitchen and retrieved an old rag and a bottle of the vodka.

She carefully splashed the sharp smelling stuff onto the rag and bit back a cry as she carefully wiped away the blood smeared across her forehead.

"Alright, I tortured myself, now it's your turn". Cedar said, crossing over to a spaced out looking Miguel.

He cleared his throat and shook his head. "I - It won't make a difference".

"You look like shit, now come on". Cedar tried to joke even as she felt her fear mounting from Miguel's sudden attitude change.

Miguel ignored her request as he looked up at her through his swollen eyes. "Y - you and your brother need to start getting your act together alright?".

"What are you talking about?". Cedar asked in confusion, her fear now having returned in full force.

"I - I don't think I'm getting out of this one kid". Miguel stuttered weakly as tears trickled down his cheeks.

"I did not put myself in front of a gun all those years ago for you to give up like this! please, just hang on for a few days". Cedar exclaimed harshly, her voice going softer near the end as she pleaded.

Miguel didn't look very happy but nodded his head as Cedar got to work on clearing the blood away from his face. "Okay, I - I'll try".

Unbeknownst to them the trouble was only beginning as a hooded figure hunched over a muddy ditch for a few moments before taking off into the stormy weather.