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A Hero's End

- Monday. June 25th, 2040.

Tense silence followed the next morning as the group left the barn with Lacy in tow, who was awkwardly walking a few feet behind Benji and Charlie.

Cedar put on a small grin and sidled up at the dark haired woman's right side. "You okay?".

Lacy shrugged. "I'm not used to Charlie being so aggressive, Benji on the other hand....".

"That wasn't his choice, David was forcing him to act like that". Cedar replied defensively

"Charlie's right, maybe I should just leave". Lacy mumbled, kicking a stray stone out of her path.

Cedar bit her lip. "Let's get to Nevada, then you can do what you want, alright?".

Lacy sighed and nodded in hesitant agreement. "Fine".

They continued walking for another hour or so until coming across an open town square, "Guys hold up". Cedar called out suddenly, stopping in her tracks.

"What's wrong?". Charlie asked before the spot he'd been standing on blew up, sending him flying across the square as he landed with a groan.

Benji quickly ran forward, kneeling next to his lover's side and holding his blood slicked hand. "Charlie?".

Charlie was groaning in pain as Cedar looked at his lower half, both his legs were still attached to his body but blood was pouring out of open wounds and chunks of flesh were missing in random areas.

Benji's cries snapped Cedar out of the shock, watching as Charlie weakly raised his head to press a kiss against Benji's forehead before limply falling back down.

Benji stood up and took a minute to collect himself before carefully retrieving Charlie's bag and adjusting it over his shoulder. "Let's move".

Lacy tried to argue but a glare from Benji made her fall silent as Cedar circled back and Miguel held hers and Luca's hands in silent comfort as they walked.

By afternoon they'd made good headway by getting out of the major city, they cut into the thick woodlands and made it nearly halfway through before Cedar tripped over a wire.

"Trip wire!". Lacy called out, shoving Cedar away as a bullet whizzed out from behind a tree, catching her in the thigh.

Miguel cushioned her fall as Benji cursed and ran to her side. "How bad is it?".

Lacy groaned and sat up. "Just a flesh wound, but you guys should go".

"No, I'm not leaving you here". Benji protested.

"I'll just slow you down, this entire area is probably thick with traps". Lacy argued.

"Dammit Lace, I lost Charlie but I'm not gonna lose you too, alright?". Benji snapped.

Lacy frowned but nodded, allowing Benji to help her up as she leaned against him for support.

"Miguel, up in front alright? You're taking charge now". The curly haired man instructed as they started walking again.

Cedar shared a look with Luca, they both knew Miguel was fairly capable of leading them but they couldn't help but fear if his injuries would hinder his abilities.

Later that night as they took shelter out in the open woods Benji sat next to Miguel with a hesitant look. "Does It get better?".

"What?". Miguel asked gently as Cedar and Luca slept with their heads in his lap.

"Losing someone you loved, In the romantic sense I mean". Benji clarified.

"I wish I could say yes, But It doesn't". Miguel confessed. "At least not for me".

Benji nodded sympathetically. "Cedar told me about Ada".

Miguel huffed a laugh. "I only knew her a few months but we had something special, when Cedar got kidnapped she felt so much guilt that it killed her".

"I swear I'll get us to Nevada, even if it kills me". Benji replied determinedly.

Miguel smiled and leaned back against the tree he was sitting under, he was exhausted but dared to not fall asleep since he was keeping watch for the night.

Unbeknownst to them, the trouble was only just beginning...