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Chapter 6:

Nightfall eventually arrived and with it came even worse weather, if that were even possible at this point.

The rain was coming down so hard, Cedar was getting worried about the windows breaking from the force of the droplets.

Miguel had been fairly quiet, save for the occasional grimace of pain. But Cedar was almost grateful for the flare ups, it meant her uncle was still alive.

Neither of them ended up sleeping a wink, the worsening weather made them more on edge than any infected or raider could.

The first rays of dawn peeked through the clouds and Cedar eased herself off the couch to grab her backpack.

"Where are you going?". Miguel asked thickly, his voice was raspy but it didn't have that death rattle to it...yet.

"There's a pharmacy up the street, I'm going there and finding some pain pills". Cedar replied, startling when she heard the sound of a pistol cocking.

When she looked up she saw Miguel holding her pistol in his shaky hand, the young woman placated her hands up and slowly moved back towards him.

"You walk out that door I'm gonna kill myself, I can't lose you too". Miguel whimpered.

Since he was so emotional Cedar was able to pry the weapon away and re-holster it at her side. "I know you wanna be with Boone and Ada but threatening suicide isn't the way to go".

Tears rolled down Miguel's cheeks as he looked at her. "Please, don't make me die alone, I - I can't do it like that".

Cedar's own tears fell as she leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss against the side of his bloodied head. "I'm sorry".

"No -". Came Miguel's broken response as Cedar turned away and walked out into the raging storm.

Back at the rental house Luca and the other's were worried sick about their two missing members.

"You don't think -". Charlie tried to say, startling when Luca slammed his hand down on the kitchen table.

"They aren't dead alright?, they can't be!". Luca snapped, getting up and running upstairs to his bedroom.

Charlie and Benji looked at each other before Benji sighed and got up from his own seat. "I'll talk to him".

Back near the Resurrection hideout Cedar smirked as she saw the pharmacy getting closer as she walked.

She made it inside without incident and took stock of the place, as predicted most of the shelves were emptied out of any medical supplies.

Fortunately as she walked through the aisles she spotted a lone bottle of ibuprofen. She had heard of the stuff before and hoped it could keep away the fever that was starting to fester in Miguel's weakening body.

On her way back out the door she passed by the checkout area and spotted a walkie - talkie laying on the floor.

She hooked it onto her belt before peering over the counter and spotting a green container of aloe Vera gel.

Cedar pocketed the stuff and braced herself for the walk back through the worsening storm, hoping that Miguel would be alive when she returned.

"I'm back! Are you alive? You fuckin' better be!". She called out as she slipped back into the beach house with her supplies half an hour later.

To her utter relief Miguel was actually sitting up and looking alert, albeit obviously worried as Cedar crossed over to sit next to him.

"Find anything good?". He asked in a strained voice.

"Drugs, hardcore drugs". Cedar replied with a smirk as she rummaged through her pack.

"Seriously?". Miguel asked in a tone that Cedar couldn't tell if it was excitement or disbelief.

"No". Cedar deadpanned. "But I did find a bottle of Ibuprofen".

"It's not enough is it?". Cedar asked, disappointed that she had seemingly failed as Miguel just hummed in reply as the pain in his head flared up again.

"It's not the strongest stuff but you did the best you could". Miguel replied reassuringly, opening his eyes again once the pain stopped.

Cedar nodded and got to work on opening the child proofed container, taking out two pills and handing them over to Miguel, who took them with a swig of water.

"What's that?". He asked, pointing to the green container in Cedar's hand.

"Aloe Vera". Cedar replied, handing the container over when Miguel reached for it.

"I know I'm sorry". Miguel apologized gently when his gel covered thumb ran over the yellowing bruise on Cedar's forehead.

"I found a walkie talkie too". Cedar remarked once Miguel was satisfied with his healing work a few moments later.

"Does it work?". Miguel asked, his voice cautious, but bleeding with hope.

"Think so, Benji's got one at the house right?". Cedar asked as Miguel nodded.

She fiddled with the buttons until it crackled to life. "Benji, Charlie you guys there?".

"Cedar?, Is Miguel alright?". Came Benji's frantic voice.

"Miguel's in bad shape but I've treated him the best I can, We're in a yellow house like fifteen minutes away". Cedar replied.

Benji sighed on the other end. "The weather's getting better but you'll have to stay put for the night".

Cedar ran a hand through her oily hair, she was really hoping she and Miguel could return tonight. "We'll be here".

She placed the walkie back on her belt loop and leaned against her uncle. "Alright, you're toughing it out one more night, got it?".

She frowned when she saw Miguel's spaced out look. "Iggy?".

He came back to himself with a shake of his head. "Sorry, just thinking".

Cedar wiped her eyes as she realized she was crying. "Something's wrong isn't it?, like, with your head?".

Miguel cracked a grin, ready to make a joke until he saw Cedar's fear. "I think they're Absence Seizures", It's like brief lapses in attention, that's why I zoned out". He elaborated.

"Will they go away?". Cedar asked gently.

"Probably not". Miguel sighed. "They aren't life threatening, so at least there's that".

Cedar took this information in before settling against Miguel again, trying to fall asleep early so the rest of the night would go by quicker.

They were awakened the next morning by a frantic looking Benji coming in through the front door. "What the hell happened?".

"This is what happens when you get your head bashed in forty plus times". Miguel replied grimly as Benji helped him up.

The sun was shining with renewed vigor as the trio limped back to the beach house where Luca sprung up from the front steps. "Uncle Iggy!".

"Careful buddy, your uncle's really injured right now". Benji warned.

Miguel smiled as he returned the gesture. "It's alright, hug away".

Once they were all seated inside Cedar caught onto Charlie's quiet behavior. "What's wrong?".

Charlie bit his lip as he spoke. "We can't find Andy".