Ash: Book One in the Rising Ash Saga Read Online Free PDF

it.”
                  “You must have some idea.”
                  “Not really. I mean, I remember there was a woman wearing white. I can't remember her face, just kind of a presence. That's about all. I remember being younger, much younger, and she read to me. That's all I know.”
                  “Was she your mother?”
                  “I don't think she was.”
                  “You have been out in this all alone since you were eight years old?”
                  “I suppose I have.”
                  Rachel shifts, adjusting to face me. “Let me ask you a question. Earlier you said you would go out and collect firewood.”
                  “Right.” I feel a nudge of suspicion.
                  “I asked if I could help and you said no. I know it is dangerous out there, but even so. Why didn't you let me come with you?”
                  I turn away from her, staring forward. “I understand what you are thinking. To you, I look like a young girl. I get it. But I've been out there. You have seen that I can handle myself.” I trusted her to an extent, but I do not want to tell her everything. Not yet.
                  “It felt strange, I'll admit. Watching you leave. Not knowing if you would come back.”
                  “Let's say you came with me,” I say. “Let's say you and Marcus come along. Let's say we get caught somewhere and we are cut off from getting back to shelter. Who would it be?”
                  “What do you mean? Who would what be?”
                  “I'm just a girl,” I say. “A child by all appearances. I know that. I'm a fighter and so far, a survivor, but I'm just a girl. You feel on some level as if I need protecting. I know what I look like, skinny and small. I know how I come across to others. A little girl in need of protection, right? Would you say that was your first impression?”
                  “Alright. Yes, a little bit. Yes.”
                  “But, despite all of that, if it comes down to it, and one of us is in danger. Who would you choose?”
                  “I'm still not sure I understand.”
                  “You would do what you could, but you would not risk yourself to save me. No matter the circumstances, you will always choose him first.”
                  The dawning appears on her face, eyebrows raising slightly.
                  “But it's okay,” I say. “I've been out there long enough to know how to survive on my own. I do better when I'm alone actually. The two of you are still learning. Am I right about that?”
                  She nods.
                  “Don't get me wrong,” I continue. “Obviously, you are doing quite well. Remarkably well. But it's different without a car.”
                  “We have been in a car for most of the time,” she says.
                  I stand and cross the room, gazing through the windows shading my eyes against the dark.
                  “Tomorrow I'll go and find us a car,” I say turning back to her. “You are okay with the arrangement for now?”
                  “Are you kidding me?” she says crossing her arms over her knees. “Ash, you're the best chance we've got.”
                  “What do you mean?”
                  “We got hit hard before you found us. I mean, we lost our car, but the worst part was losing our group. We barely made it to that mansion. We just made it up the stairs trying to find a place to rest when that loner showed up. If you hadn't shown up we would have been caught in that herd. Now here we are, and within the day, we have found a secure building full of food. If it weren't for you, we'd probably be dead. No