Error 31

Chapter 5:

The group made it back above the ground as Boone surveyed their surroundings. "Right, if we keep walking we can make it to Fair View, New Jersey by evening".

Cedar just nodded numbly and kept a tight grip on Miguel's hand as they started walking once more, the lack of Rudy's happy panting made the girl's heart tighten from grief.

They made it about halfway through the streets before Miguel nudged Cedar, rummaging through his pockets and handing her a chocolate bar. "Boone said you liked these".

Cedar grinned slightly as she bit into the sweet stuff. "He actually noticed?".

"He's not completely dumb as he looks". Miguel joked as Boone led them to a wire fence that kept them from getting across the state border.

"Boone the gate is -". Cedar's warning was cut off by Miguel, who was grinning mischievously. "Just let him do his thing".

Cedar managed a genuine, hearty laugh as Boone made it halfway up the fence before leaning over the edge and promptly falling flat on his back on the other side. "Coast is clear!".

Miguel rolled his eyes and slid the gate open with ease. "Ladies". he announced cordially, allowing Cedar and Ada to pass through before closing it off with rope he had in his pocket.

"You could have told me the gate was open before I made an ass out of myself". Boone grumbled as he got off the ground.

"Yeah but where's the fun in that?". Miguel laughed, patting his younger brother's cheek as he passed him.

Boone tutted but kept quiet as they walked until the sun was starting to set and they stopped in front of an old prison structure with a hearty fence still around it.

Miguel whistled impressively. "Shit, that place is huge".

"It's a high max prison babe". Ada answered, looking at her boyfriend oddly.

"We were barricaded in a bathroom, this is the most space we've had in a while". Miguel replied, getting the gate open with ease.

They made it through the winding gate with ease and ended up in the front yard, where Ada easily picked off the five zombies roaming around.

"Miguel, you and Cedar are gonna go inside and pick off any of the remaining walkers". Boone rattled off. "Ada and I will keep the gates secure and pick off any others out here".

Miguel and Cedar nodded, running across the prison yard and shutting the heavy doors behind them, with the only light source coming in through the small windows.

They picked off a trio of walkers in the main hall and continued towards the cafeteria. "So, you know my story, I wanna know yours". Cedar declared abruptly some time later.

Miguel nodded slowly. "Pre or post virus?".

"Both I guess, or whatever you're comfortable with". Cedar replied, surveying the cafeteria as they reached it.

Miguel thought to himself for a second. "Right. well, I was born in Columbia, but moved to New York when I was a toddler".

"Where's Columbia?". Cedar asked curiously, since she never had any education her question made sense.

"It's a country in South America, I don't remember much of it since I was so young". Miguel replied. "I only went back one time when I was a teen".

"Not very pleasant memories then?". Cedar asked, hoping she wasn't being invasive.

"Yeah you could say, once we settled in New York my parents adopted Boone a few years later". The older man continued with a grin.

"Where are your parents now?". Cedar asked softly.

Miguel shrugged. "They took off when Boone was fifteen, he thinks they went back to Columbia".

"You think the virus reached there too?". Cedar questioned.

"No idea, but with how fast it spread, it's a possibility". Miguel sighed.

Cedar nodded solemnly before something in the corner caught her eye and she ran forward to retrieve it. It was a leather jacket, still in good condition too.

Miguel chuckled and grabbed the jacket. "No way! I had one of these years ago!".

"What happened to it?". Cedar asked, amused at the man's excitement.

"Boone got drunk at a party when he was eighteen and threw up all over it". Miguel recalled with a shudder.

Cedar thought to herself for a moment as she also spotted brightly colored fabrics strewn about the room, she collected these before gesturing for the jacket.

"Oh come on!". Miguel groaned, but handed it back willingly.

"You'll get it back, I need to work on it first". Cedar grinned as she tied the jacket around her waist.

Miguel visibly winced. "God, just don't ruin it alright?".

"Don't worry, I won't ruin your precious jacket". Cedar sassed before crying out in shock as a hidden walker grabbed the side of her shirt.

"Uncle Iggy help!". The teen screamed, not even realizing the endearment had slipped out as Miguel shot the walker in the head.

Cedar was shaking as she launched herself into Miguel's arms, hugging him tightly as her tears broke loose, she cried until she felt totally exhausted, and only then did she pull away from the hug.

Miguel looked down at the teen in worry at the breakdown, but he was also relieved. It was clearly something that was well overdue.

"C'mon, we should head back outside". The older man guided the teen back out into the prison yard where Ada and Boone were both waiting anxiously.