Error 31 (Book 1)

Whispers Of Innocence

- Wilmington, Delaware - Sunday. April 11th, 2032.

The next few months passed in a blur and soon enough Cedar turned sixteen years old, she couldn't believe that it had been close to a year since she'd met Boone and Miguel.

"Iggy, come here!". Cedar called out on a particularly windy day as she sat on the front steps of the old house the group had settled into a few days prior.

"You okay?". Miguel asked, his dark eyes glinting with concern as he sat next to his niece.

Cedar handed her uncle the bundle that was in her lap. "I know your birthday was a while back but I finally finished this".

Miguel unfolded the bundle to reveal the leather jacket Cedar had found when they were scoping out the prison last year.

He turned it over and revealed the colorful patches that made up the Colombian flag in the shape of an angel wing on the left, with the Bisexual pride flag colors on the right wing.

Miguel grinned even wider and put the jacket on without hesitation, showing it off as Cedar laughed. "You like it?".

"I love it! I can't believe you made this on your own!". Miguel exclaimed, pulling his niece into a hug.

They pulled back as Cedar looked at her uncle somewhat nervously as she moved to stand up. "I'll be back in a bit".

"I'm going with you". Miguel replied immediately, after what happened with Alden he wasn't keen on letting the kid go anywhere on her own.

"I just need some time alone, please?". Cedar argued gently.

Miguel didn't look happy but nodded anyways as he looked up at the dark clouds forming in the sky. "Fine, but you'll have to wait out the storm somewhere for the night".

Cedar nodded and raced out of the yard, while a nervous looking Miguel stood on the porch with a worried look as she left.

The rain and wind bit at Cedar's face as she made it to the middle of the town fifteen or so minutes, she walked for a while longer until she saw a garage that was half open.

She ducked under it and was confronted by a young boy that was no older than twelve. "Easy kid, I'm just waiting out the storm".

The boy threw his bow and arrow off to the side and sat down on the couch that was against the wall. "Sorry, I'm Luca Price".

Cedar smiled and sat next to him. "I'm Cedar Baker, you on your own?".

Luca nodded. "My uncle died when I was nine, I've been on my own ever since. You?".

"My family had a house a couple miles back, I can take you back there once the weather clears". Cedar suggested.

Luca eagerly nodded his head as the two of them eventually nodded off to sleep as the storm continued to rage outside.

- Monday. April 12th, 2032.

"They left us, how could they just leave us?". Cedar panicked as she and Luca arrived back at the abandoned house the next morning.

"They probably left to escape the horde last night, which would explain all the bodies". Luca interjected calmly as he rubbed Cedar's shoulder to calm her down.

"Now what do we do?". Cedar asked, trying to calm herself down.

"There's a military settlement a mile or two East, maybe they went there". Luca suggested as the two of them left the abandoned house.

The duo walked for a few hours until coming across a chain link gate as an armed guard spotted them and pointed his rifle at them. "Drop your weapons".

Cedar and Luca did as told as another guard, holding onto a leashed black and white dog came forward, allowing the animal to sniff them out for possible infection.

Cedar stayed stock still as the dog sniffed around her legs and lower arm, growling a bit before calmly sitting on her rear.

Both guards briefly looked at one another before lowering their rifles and opening the gate. "You guys are clear".

Cedar released the breath she'd been holding as she and Luca  walked into what looked like a fully functioning community of other survivors.

"We got some people who've been worried about you". The younger guard said as he nudged Cedar.

"Iggy, Tony!". Cedar yelled, hugging both men once she spotted them before drawing back with a frown. "W - Where's my dad?".

"I have no idea, we lost him when the horde came through". Miguel answered softly.

Cedar put her hands on her hips as she let out a sigh. "Fuck, I know where he went".

"How?". Miguel asked hesitantly.

"He told me about a guy called David that worked with Alden Wright". Cedar replied grimly. "My guess is he went to track him down".

"Out of all the times to enact revenge, he chooses now?!". Miguel ranted as he ran a hand over his face in irritation.

Cedar smirked at her uncle's tantrum and turned to leave as Tony grabbed her arm. "And where are you going?".

"I'm finding my father". Cedar replied, trying and failing to wrench herself out of the man's grip.

"No, absolutely not". Tony argued firmly.

"You're welcome to come with me". Cedar retorted.

"Oh I will, first thing tomorrow". The blonde man stated.

"But -". Cedar tried to argue but faltered under Tony's stern glare. "Fine, you win".

Tony nodded in satisfaction. "Now you kids need to get some rest".

"You just not even gonna ask where he came from?". Cedar asked, pointing at an awkward looking Luca.

Tony considered this for a moment before shrugging. "Not really, goodnight!".

Cedar and Luca looked at each other before walking over to one of the available houses across the street.

The two of them sat down on the couch as Luca hesitantly touched Cedar's arm. "Your dad will be fine, I promise".

"Thanks kid". Cedar replied with a small smile.

Later that night as Luca slept peacefully across from her, Cedar stayed wide awake, her worry over her father clouding the ability to sleep.

Chapter Cast:

- Jackson Williams As Luca Price.

- Zak Bagans As Older Armed Guard.

- Jay Wasley As Young Armed Guard.