Error 31

Chapter 3:

As it turned out Boone was currently thirty four years old, putting him at nineteen years old when the virus first appeared.

He and his older brother Miguel were raiding a store about a month later when they were cornered by a horde,

Miguel had killed most of them but ran as soon as he ran out of ammo, leaving Boone to deal with the rest of the zombies on his own.

Boone succeeded in killing off the horde but ended up losing his eye during a scuffle with a particularly durable zombie.

So he left the store and took off until he reached the hotel, where he'd been staying ever since.

"Do you worry about your brother?". Cedar asked without thinking.

Boone shrugged. "Not really, stupid son of a bitch is probably long past dead by now".

Cedar winced at the harsh words, Her and Boone's respective plights were all too similar. "So are you gonna stay here or go somewhere else?".

Boone sighed. "I'm leaving here first thing tomorrow".

Cedar thought to herself before perking up. "Can I come with you?".

Boone shook his head. "You can stay tonight, then there's plenty of supplies for you to stay here comfortably, but I don't need any more baggage to drag with me".

Cedar's eyes hardened but she shook her head and made herself comfortable underneath the covers of the second bed, Rudy watching her protectively as she eventually fell asleep.

Boone stayed awake as he observed the sleeping girl, something about her was familiar but he couldn't put a finger on it.

He sighed and shook himself from his thoughts as he too fell into a light but restful sleep.

Cedar was awoken a few hours later as Boone shuffled about the small room, the first rays of sunlight were filtering in through the curtains.

Boone looked at her as he hefted his bag over his shoulder. "Get up, we're leaving".

Cedar did as told, raking a finger through her ratty hair as she tried to make herself look halfway put together. "Thought you said I wasn't going?".

"Change of heart I guess". Boone grumbled as he passed her a pistol. "I've got some ground rules you're gonna follow, understand?".

Cedar didn't like being bossed around but nodded obediently as Boone turned to face her ans continued speaking. "You're gonna be glued to my side the whole time we're together, yes?".

Cedar nodded silently as Boone continued. "You're gonna do everything I say without question. If I want you to kill someone you'll do it, I don't want you to kill someone, you won't do it".

The teen winced but nodded in understanding. "What happens if I don't listen?".

"I don't think you'll like the consequences". Boone replied simply, easing the front door open cautiously.

Cedar shuddered and followed Boone out into the hallway, Rudy brushed against her side and licked at her hand reassuringly.

The duo (plus Rudy) made it out of the hotel and back out into the chilly air of the outside world, Cedar shivered and whined as the wind bit through her scarred face.

Boone pointed at a shopping center across the street. "We'll get you new clothes in there, not sure what we'll do about your face yet".

Cedar nodded as they walked across the quiet street. "You're allowed to speak you know". Boone piped up as they entered a rundown Hot Topic store.

"Um, thanks for letting me come with you I guess". Cedar stammered as she started sifting through the piles of leftover clothes.

Boone didn't reply but gently tucked a hand underneath Cedar's chin before heading to the front of the shop to keep watch.

The teen girl gathered up her chosen outfits and headed into one of the blood spattered changing rooms.

She winced as the material of her old shirt rubbed against her raw cheek as she changed into a green sweatshirt, jeans and a proper coat. A new pair of boots completed the outfit.

She placed the other outfit into her backpack and headed into the main area again, Where Boone was patiently waiting by the front entryway.

"You didn't leave". Cedar observed aloud, startling Boone out of the daze he seemed to be in.

"That's a good way to get yourself shot". He grumbled before softening up. "Course I didn't, I said you were coming with me didn't I?".

"You did". Cedar confirmed as they walked out of the shop and down the hall a bit until Rudy started growling at a cracked open men's bathroom door.

Boone grabbed his pistol and motioned for Cedar to back up against the wall before cracking the door completely open.

A blur of blue appeared as Boone grabbed a Hispanic looking guy and threw him up against the wall where he fell onto the hard floor and promptly backed up fearfully.

Confusion flitted across Boone's face as the other man finally looked up. "Miguel?".