PROJECT ANDERSON

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: ANDIE

After burying the bodies of the family that once lived in the house that we slept in last night, I decided that it was time to get the hell out of there and back on the road.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay a little longer, so you can rest?" Jesse asked as he put the bags into the truck.

"Yes I'm sure, this place creeps me out and I don't want Ashley to sleep with us every night." I said as I walked over to him.

"It wasn't that bad, she looked so happy and peaceful." He said with a small smile as he looked down to our little girl standing by the car.

"She kicked me in the kidney all night."

"I'm sorry Darling." He said before giving me a soft kiss on the cheek. "Next time just turn her over, so she kicks me instead."

"Noted, now come on." I said before pulling Ashley towards the truck. "I want to get on the road before the Romeros find us again."

"Alright...hold on I forgot something inside." He said before running back to the house.

"Get in the truck Ashichu, I'm going to stand guard." I instructed softly.

"No, I don't want you to." She protested sadly.

"I'll be fine Ash, please just do what I said."

Ashley looked up at me and then to the truck, but she didn't bother to move.

"Please don't make this harder than it has to be Ashley Elizabeth...get in the truck and wait." I said more sternly this time.

"I don't want to leave you alone." She said softly.

I knelt down in front of her and looked her in the eyes. "You're just going to be in the truck, you'll still be able to see me." I explained softer.

"Okay, but be careful." My little girl warned softly.

"Always baby girl, now come on up." I said before helping her into the front seat. "I'm just going to be right by the hood, okay?"

"Okay."

I gave her a kiss on the forehead then closed the door, keeping my eyes on her for the few steps to the hood. I could see the fear behind her once bright blue eyes, she was never going to be able to understand what was happening; but she was going to have to.

I wasn't going to be able to protect her forever and I didn't fully trust that Jesse was going to be able to do it alone.

Man, I really hope we make it to the bunkers before its too late.

Looking over the empty drive I decided that it was safe enough to light up a smoke while I waited.

"How can you smoke those full flavors?" Jesse asked as he approached me.

"My momma didn't raise no light pussy." I answered with a smile. "What did you forget?"

"Your blood." He said as he held up two bottles. "Why did you have to do this again?"

"I don't know." I shrugged.

"You do know Andie, why do you want to die that way? Why can't you just die peacefully?"

"My parents didn't get that virtue and neither did my brother, so why should I." I answered before taking a long soothing drag of my cigarette.

"Your parents were murdered, there was nothing that you could have done to prevent that and you weren't even there when James died." He argued softly.

"I should have fought him more and I never should have left without making sure that Livie was really dead, but instead I didn't and now my family is dead and it is all my fault." I explained solemnly.