Error 43

Sector Twelve

Joel and Miguel were silent for some time until the former decided to speak up. "Why didn't you tell me about your infection sooner?".

"I didn't think it was going to get this bad". Miguel replied. "I figured that since I'm still immune you wouldn't get hurt".

"Then why break up with me?". Joel asked with a frown.

"As I noticed the symptoms getting worse, I got scared that maybe my immunity would end up fading entirely and you would end up infected". Miguel said, his voice breaking a bit.

"You should have told me this was happening, I wouldn't have gotten angry at you". Joel replied as he tentatively reached out and held Miguel's hand.

"I thought that you'd leave me, and the thought of that happening scared me more than anything". Miguel admitted as his tears started to flow.

"I would have suggested easing up on kissing and stuff for a while but I'd never think of breaking things off entirely". Joel replied gently.

"I get it you know, If you don't want to get back together once I'm better". Miguel said after a moment.

"Do you want to get back together?". Joel asked, his voice cautious, but hopeful.

"I do". Miguel said confidently with a nod of his head. "If you'll still have me that is".

"Well in that case, consider us back together". Joel stated with a smile, bringing Miguel's hand up to press a kiss against his knuckles.

"I meant after I get better". Miguel said with a slight frown, even though he was obviously elated that Joel still cared for him.

"Do you love me?". Joel asked in a blunt, but not unkind tone.

"Of course I do". Miguel replied without hesitation. "It's just - If the medicine doesn't work and I do end up paralyzed, Is that gonna change things between us?".

"It'll definitely change certain aspects of our relationship but It won't change the fact that your the only person I see myself in a relationship with for the foreseeable future". Joel replied easily.

Miguel went quiet for a moment before speaking again. "In that case, can I get my ring back?".

"Yeah... there's a slight problem with that". Joel replied, his cheeks aflame with an intense blush as he looked down at the floor.

"Which would be?". Miguel asked, the corners of his mouth twisting into a smirk.

"It's currently at the bottom of Snake River". Joel revealed with a wince.

"Oh, So somebody went and had themselves a little temper tantrum that day huh?". Miguel teased.

"Something like that". Joel replied, his smile morphing into a frown as he continued looking down at the floor.

Seeing Joel's mood switch, Miguel gave his hand a gentle squeeze to make him look back up. "We're gonna be okay".

"Your one of the best thing that's ever happened to me". Joel declared with a grin as he got up from his seat, adjusting Miguel's limp legs so he was now laying on his side.

"This alright?". He asked as he slid into the bed and wrapped his arms around Miguel, who laid his head on his chest in response.

Miguel just nodded, burrowing himself further into Joel's embrace as both men eventually nodded off into a peaceful sleep together.

- Cooke City, Montana.

The next day eventually arrived as Cedar, James, Lev, Rio & Rocky continued on their way into Cooke City, where they had gotten through the Sector 8 canal without any issue.

"How much further until we get to this church?". Cedar asked, steeling himself against the freezing February air as the group walked through the empty streets.

"About thirty five minutes". James replied as he too shivered against the heavy snow that was beginning to fall from above.

"Shouldn't we stop for the day? It's freezing cold and It's getting dark out". Rio asked as Rocky put an arm around him.

"it's best if we keep moving, the earlier nights are actually working in our favor since the FEDRA soldiers are less likely to be patrolling when it's this dark". James replied.

Rio opened his mouth to argue but a stern glare from Rocky made him fall silent, with the rest of the group following suit as they trudged through the snow that was rapidly piling up along the street.

Thirty five minutes eventually passed as the group finally made it to the small, log cabin-like church that was practically buried in snow.

"Why are the lights on in there at a time like this?". Lev asked, pointing at the warm glow of the lights just barely visible through the frosted over windows.

"Good eye kid". James mumbled, drawing the pistol he'd picked up at the section 8 canal earlier in the day.

Rocky followed suit, gesturing for Cedar, Lev and Rio to hang back as he pressed himself against the right side of the building, with James doing the same on the left.

Both men carefully eased open the double doors and stepped inside, scoping the area out for a minute or two before James reappeared. "All clear".

Cedar nodded and walked inside the blessedly warm building, with Lev and Rio staying close behind him. "Alright, where's this Ketaterol stuff at?".

"It should be down here". James replied, gesturing down the right hallway and over to the confessional booth.

"Lev? What's wrong?". Cedar asked, seeing that the young man was on the verge of a panic attack as he backed away from the booth.

"That's what Emily locked me in when she found out I was trans". Lev revealed, his eyes wide with fear as he leaned against the wall.

"It's okay, you're safe with me, remember?". Rocky said as he walked away from the booth and pulled his adoptive son into a hug to calm him down.

Lev nodded, burying his nose into his father's shoulder as he tried to regain his composure. "I - I'm sorry". He said, looking down in embarrassment once he pulled away from the hug.

James shot a small smile at the young man and held up ten small vials of clear liquid. "I found the stuff, Now let's get out of here".

Cedar placed the vials into his bag and was about to follow James and the other's back towards the entry hall when a shot suddenly rang out and he was shoved off to the side.

He managed to regain his footing just in time to watch James's tall form fall to the floor with a thud, blood pooling out from underneath him.

Rocky quickly turned around, his eyes going wide as he saw a dark haired woman glaring at him. "Raya?".

"You know her?". Cedar asked in confusion.

"She's my ex wife...". Rocky revealed quietly, still nervously eyeing Raya as she stood with her pistol still pointed at him.

"And who's that?". Cedar asked quietly, pointing at a middle aged Korean man that came out from behind a corner and stood next to Raya.

Lev gulped and carefully placed his hands up in surrender as he stared at the man. "Eric Rhee, He's my biological father...".

Author Note: Raya & Eric Are My OC's and Played By Vanessa Nadal & Eugene Lee Yang Respectively.

Author Note 2: The Seraphite's (The Group Lev Used To Be Part Of) Religion Is Never Outright Stated, So I Have Decided To Base Their Belief System Off Of Christianity.