Error 31 (Book 1)

Hunt For Hope

- Monday. April 12th, 2032.

The first rays of sun were beginning to shine in through the curtained window as Cedar eased herself out of the bed and fixed up her wrinkled clothing.

She took one last look at the still sleeping Luca before walking out of the bedroom and stepping out onto the front porch where Miguel was sitting on the steps. "Uncle Iggy, what are you doing?".

"I'm gonna help you find Boone, Tony's staying behind to take care of the kid". Miguel answered as he got up and jogged down the steps before Cedar could protest.

The duo left the gated community and walked for a while until they left the city behind and the view was replaced by the rural part of the city.

Once they reached a woodland area Cedar walked over a boarded up hole in the ground, she was thankful she'd been looking down because she saw a familiar brand burned into the wood. "Iggy, come over here".

"What is it?". Miguel asked, bending down at Cedar's level. "Is that -?".

Cedar nodded grimly. "One of Alden or David's hide out's must be under here".

Miguel reached for the handle on the board and eased the hidden door open before climbing down the few steps that led to who knows where. "Stay behind me alright?".

The teen nodded, drawing her pistol out as she and her uncle walked down a tunnel that led to a closed metal door, Miguel eased it open and Cedar raced forwards despite his earlier warning, gasping at who she saw. "Mom!?".

The miraculously alive Serena Blake turned around at the sound of her daughter's voice. "Cedar?".

From the corner of her vision Cedar could see her father backed against the corner, his wrist was shackled to the wall and his eye patch was gone, exposing his destroyed eye to the elements. "Mom, whatever you're doing, it's a horrible idea".

"Cedar I'm fine, please just get out of here!". Boone pleaded, his voice bleeding with exhaustion.

"Shut up!". Serena snapped, pointing her pistol back at Boone. "That man is a monster, you don't know the things he's done".

"Actually I do, he told me what he did, what he was forced to do to you". Cedar said calmly.

Serena let out a watery scoff. "You don't know what It's like to be violated and held against your will for over a year!".

The teen felt tears slip down her cheeks as she replied. " I was held against my will by Alden himself for four months, he raped me without a second thought".

Serena just stared at her daughter with an expression Cedar couldn't quite figure out as she cocked her pistol and aimed it straight at Boone's heart.

The teen jumped in front of her father as the bullet came whizzing towards her almost like it was in slow motion

Her stomach felt like it had been burnt by a fire poker as the bullet lodged itself just above her belly button, Boone hurrying to cushion her fall as she collapsed into his lap with shallow breaths.

Miguel rushed to pull out his pistol and lodged one of his own bullet's into Serena's head as he knelt beside his brother and mortally injured niece.

The teen's breathing was shallow as Boone pushed up her bloodied shirt, the wound over filled with blood and spilled down her side.

"I'm - I'm sorry daddy". Cedar rasped, her shaking hand reaching out to hold Boone's shackled one for comfort.

Boone's good eye brimmed with tears as he held his dying daughter's hand. "It's okay monkey, you did good".

Cedar gave a small nod as she looked over at Miguel. "Iggy, can you promise me something?".

Miguel released a shaky sob, stroking his niece's hair as he nodded. "Anything".

"Promise me that you and Uncle Tony will keep Luca safe". Cedar rasped, her voice getting weaker.

Miguel released a sob and nodded. "I promise".

Cedar placed her hand against Miguel's chest, her fingers forming the words "I Love You" over her beloved uncle's heart.

After some seconds Miguel gently laid her hand over her chest as the sixteen year old took her final breaths and went limp in Boone's arms.

Both men silently grieved for a while as Miguel got up to retrieve the key that freed Boone from his shackle before getting up and leaving the bunker (And Cedar's body) behind in silence.

- Some Hours Later:

A couple hours passed since Boone and Miguel had returned home and they (Along with Tony and Luca) were sitting around in silent grief together.

Well, everything was silent until the front door opened to reveal a limping but very much alive Cedar Dustin Baker.

Miguel was the first to stand up, slowly walking towards the teen until Cedar burst out crying as she latched onto her uncle tightly. "You're okay!".

They hugged for a minute until he abruptly placed Cedar back on her feet with a skeptical look. "Wait a second, how are you okay?".

Cedar pulled up her shirt, revealing that her wound had been sealed off. "You taught me how to cauterize wounds, remember Uncle Tony?".

Tony huffed in amusement and ruffled the girl's hair. "Glad you paid attention to something".

Boone cleared his throat, signaling for Miguel, Tony and Luca to leave the room, which they respectfully did as he guided Cedar onto the couch. "Why did you come after me?".

"Your my father, I wasn't gonna let you fucking die". Cedar replied, not knowing why Boone was asking such a stupid question.

"She was gonna do it you know, she was ready to kill me". Boone went on softly.

"I can't believe she was still alive, I really thought she was dead". Cedar whispered.

"Yeah". Was all that Boone said as he smoothed his hand down Cedar's hair and kissed the side of her head.

Sensing that something was off, Cedar pulled her head off her father's shoulder and stared at him. "What's wrong?".

Miguel, Tony and Luca chose that moment to reappear as Miguel (Who had clearly been listening in on the talk) smiled reassuringly. "Nothing you need to worry about".

"But -". Cedar tried to protest with a frown.

"Kid, nothing's wrong. But things will be if we don't get moving before the sun goes down". Tony cut in.

"Where are we going now?". Cedar asked curiously as she obediently grabbed her backpack and slung it over her shoulders.

"Canada, there's a camp there that isn't totally overrun". The blond answered as they started heading out the door, where Boone took one step and nearly fell as his right leg suddenly gave out from under him.

Miguel helped him up and grinned cheekily. "And I thought my leg was busted".

"Okay, I think one of you is seriously gonna have to carry me". Boone groaned.

"Absolutely not". Tony said at once, laughing at his boyfriend's antics.

"Hell no". Miguel agreed in unison.

"I think I'll need that lift though". Cedar mumbled as her injury was starting to act up.

Miguel giggled and hoisted her up onto his shoulders. "I'll gladly carry you the whole way".

"Really?". The teen asked excitedly.

"Well, maybe half of the way". Miguel offered.

"I'll take it, now mush!". Cedar said, lightly kicking her uncle with the back of her heel.

Miguel rolled his eyes as the other three laughed, ready to take on whatever new adventures would be thrown their way.

- Chapter Trivia: Serena Blake Is Played By Lily Collins.