Chapter 7.4

"Hey," Neil pulled back to look into Rosemarie’s eyes. "It's going to be okay."

Aware that she was probably stressing out the dying man, she wiped her face and nodded.

“I'm sorry,” she looked at Mark. “I didn't mean to lose my cool.”

He smiled a brittle smile as he reached out and touched her foot. “Sorry for the trouble.”

“It's no trouble,” she lied.

He pulled his hand back to rest across his chest. 

Chapter 7.3

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” said Randy gruffly.

Rosemarie winced at the pain as Randy’s fingers clamped on her arm. “Get off,” she jerked away.

His eyes had a wild anger that caused a vein at his temple to poke out. “Are you trying to get us all killed? Are you that much of a fucking bleeding heart?”

The venom in his voice caught her off guard and she struggled to respond.

“I’m not-”

Chapter 7.2

Georgi stopped the truck and jumped out. She reached in and pulled Alex out quickly.

“Alex, grab some snacks and go into the treehouse,” she ordered.

She went into the cabin, came out with a gun and followed Alex to the treehouse.

Neil and Rosemarie dragged the stranger out of the truck. She ran into the cabin to get a blanket and the first aid kit. Laying the guy on the blanket, she started cleaning and bandaging his wounds.

“We were attacked,” the man said. He looked like he was holding back tears. “My family….”

Chapter 7: Life Lessons

Riding in the back of the truck was a freaking scary experience for Rosemarie. Randy was standing in the back on guard with his shotgun, and at his feet three more they found at Levi’s.

Rosemarie was having mini heart attacks at every bump.

She thumped on the top of the truck and yelled, “Could you slow it down a little?”

Georgi gave her a thumbs up and slowed.

Oh bless her compassion, thought Rosemarie

“Slowing down is a bad idea,” said Randy as he scanned the road. He was twitching at every bend, as if a monster was going to jump out of the woods at any moment.

Chapter 6.3

Rosemarie, Alex, and Georgi ventured into the house. They were quiet as they entered the door. The silence fell like a heavy blanket on them. Rosemarie imagined that she smelled disinfectant. She shook herself.

“Momma,” said Alex.

“Yes, sweetie?” Georgi asked.

“I am hungry,” she said.

“I will make something since it took so long to get here,” Georgi said as she put down her bag and started making a quick lunch.

Chapter 6.2

After breakfast, they emptied the bags and backpacks they were taking to Levi’s house.

Rosemarie walked up looking pissed. “My car is out of gas,” She narrowed her eyes at Randy. “And it stinks.”

Georgi let out an exasperated sigh as she stared at her husband. “All the gas? Really? We just refilled it.”

Randy looked away and scowled into the woods.

“What about the other car?” said Neil.

Chapter 6: Trip to Levi's

Sunlight streamed into Georgi’s eyes. She was confused for a few minutes, before realizing that she had slept in the treehouse. Quickly sitting up, she stretched and looked around for her daughter. Alex was still asleep curled up like a little angel among her blankets.

“Wake up sweetie,” Georgi said, brushing hair out of Alex’s face.

Her big brown eyes fluttered open for a second before closing again. She wasn’t quick at waking up. She needed a little time to will herself out of bed.

Chapter 5.5

Randy scarfed down his second bowl of food then headed back to the cabin.

“Is Daddy still sick?” Alex asked as she watched him stumble back to the cabin.

“In more ways than one,” Rosemarie grumbled.

“Yeah, sweetie,” Georgi said. “He’s going to sleep until his stomach feels better.”

“Will he need medicine?” Alex asked.

Chapter 5.4

Georgi was peering into a big pot when they walked up.

“Hope you like Surprise Soup,” she said.

“What’s the surprise?” ask Neil.

Georgi handed Neil a bowl.

“It isn’t soup,” said Alex with a giggle.

Neil looked into the bowl at the spaghetti and smiled.

“Got you!” Alex giggled.