The entire way back to my apartment was done in complete silence. It was obvious Aaron and I did not want to be around each other for much longer, but his daughter needed help so that's what I told myself "If it were Phillip, you'd want the same thing to happen" I lost count of how many times I said that little mantra to myself, but it worked
We arrive back to the apartment complex that me and my son lived in. It was the same building we had lived in before the eruption (which *ahem* no need to brag, but was the top floor penthouse) and neither of us had had a very big drive to leave it any time soon
We climbed the stairs and when we got to my apartment I told Aaron to wait outside with Theo. I unlocked the airtight lock and pushed the door open and walked inside. I couldn't see Phillip so I assumed he was still asleep so I turned back to Aaron and Theo "Come in, but be quiet my son is asleep" I said in a hushed whisper
Aaron nodded in understanding and set Theo down as they both walked into the apartment. I closed the door behind them and took off my gas mask after a moment "It's safe to breath in here" I said and Aaron took off his own mask. Theo o the other hand was too busy running around "Papa look at this place!!" She said in a hushed whisper of excitement
Even Aaron seemed a bit taken aback by my living quarters which was 110% fine with me. Just another thing I could brag about to Aaron. "Theo come here and let me get your mask" Aaron said quietly and Theo ran back to Aaron so he could take off her mask. Once that was done, the little girl went back to her exploration
"Ok ok stop running around, you're gonna hurt your arm more" I said and went to the cabinet to get the medical kit "Alexander is right Theo.. you need to sit down" Aaron said and Theo pouted momentarily before plopping down on the couch. I got the med kit down and made my way over to her, sitting next to her and carefully taking her arm
Theo winced slightly and as I looked at her arm, it was obvious she had banged it pretty badly. "Looks like you sprained your wrist and scratched it up pretty good- Just be careful when you use it" I said and started getting something to clean up the scratches. "So I'll be ok??" Theo asked and I nodded "Yep, should be healed pretty soon as long as your don't hurt it again" I explained and started wrapping her arm up after cleaning it
Aaron sat down nearby in a chair and watched his daughter carefully up until the moment I finished and sat back "There, that should do it" I said and Theo sprung up "Thank you Mister!!" She said happily and I couldn't help but smile softly "Of course" I said back. No I am not a softie she's just really cute and how could I not be polite??
I got up and went to go put the med kit back in it's normal spot, but I caught a glimpse of someone standing in the hallway and I immediately turned. It was my son Phillip, still half asleep in his pajamas, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and clutching a teddy bear. He walked out into the living room and smiled sleepily once he saw me "Morning po-" he started to say but then realized we had guests "Uhhh..-" he stammered while looking at Aaron and Theo
Aaron got up once he saw Phillip "Perhaps this is the perfect time to go-" he suggested and Theo pouted again "But Papa where would we go?? Just back to the sewers??" She asked "I dunno but these that man Mister Alex seems really nice" "I'm sorry but- who are you people and what are you doing here?!" Phillip pipped up. I sighed "Phillip this is an old coworker of mine Aaron Burr and his daughter Theo" I said to my son before turning to Aaron and his daughter "Burr- this is my son Phillip" I said
Theo immediately rush over and took Phillip's hand to shake it enthusiastically, which woke my son up fully "Hi I'm Theodosia but everyone calls me Theo!!" She chirped happily "Phillip-" my son said "Why are you here exactly-?" he asked "I fell down a whole and my Papa got your Papa and they helped me out!!" She informed him
"Just now?? Why didn't anyone wake me up??" Phillip asked and looked at me "I wanted to make sure you were asleep, but now that you're up would you like something to eat??" I asked. Phillip nodded "Yes please" he said and Theo turned to her father "Papa do you have any food??" She asked and Aaron shook his head "I'm sorry baby cakes, I didn't bring any" he said and Theo groaned "But I'm hungryyyyyy" she whined before my son piped up "I'm sure we have something" he said and gave me a look
I sighed "Let me look-" I grumbled and went to the pantry
Pip sat down on the couch with his feet tucked up under him and Theo plopped down next to him and looked at his teddy bear and giggled "Is that yours??" She asked and Aaron (who had been looking very uncomfortable the entire time) shot her a look "It's not nice to go prying into other's people's business Theodosia" he warned and Theo looked down "Sorry papa-" she mumbled
Well at least Burr was teaching her SOME manners-
"No it's ok, it's mine yeah" Phillip said and held the bear close to him. I returned to my mission of grabbing food from the pantry and plopped it down on the bar counter "Here" I called and Phillip got up and made his way over. He climbed up onto the high stools "Thanks Pops" he said before starting to eat, Theo eventually making her way over and following suit "Thanks Mister!!"
I cast a glance over at Aaron who had made himself busy by wandering around the room. He came to a stop at the fireplace, where some pictures were resting on the mantle. I waiting until he made a move for one before calling out "You should take you own advice and not meddle in other's personal affairs" I said and Aaron jumped
"Apologies, I just couldn't help but notice these" He muttered before going back to the couch and sitting down in defeat. I smirked lightly to myself before turning my attention back to the two children who were happily eating and chatting
Phillip finished eating first and I took his plate and dumped the scraps into the trash "Thanks pops" Phillip said before sliding out of his seat. Theo finished a moment later and thanked slid down before taking her own plate. Aaron looked proud of himself for a moment and I rolled my eyes
All of a sudden a loud beep sounded from my bedroom which caught my attention. Pip perked up too "It's mister John calling!!" He said and ran to my room. Aaron gave me a quizzical look "John?? As in Laurens??" He asked and I nodded "He's in South Carolina, we keep in touch with a radio system we both have" I said and followed Phillip into my room "We'll be back soon, don't touch anything!!" I called back before joining my son on the bed
He had already gotten the radio set from the bedside table and plopped it on the bed. Once I sat down Pip pressed the on button and John's voice flooded the room "Lex you there?? Man I've been trying to reach you for hours, we have a situation"
YOU ARE READING
Ashen Heart
AventuraEveryone knew it was coming, but when it came, no one was prepared. The Yellowstone Volcanic eruption took out much of the Unites States, except for parts of the Eastern Coast which luckily took a minimal blow. Years later though, things have change...
