Eric was silent on the drive home. He held my hand a little too tightly, but I didn't complain. When we got to the house, I went into the bathroom and started to collect my clothes. Eric went down to the basement.
When I came outside, Eric was putting the quilt and sheet into the trunk of the car and putting the candles and lighter into one of the various Target bags already in the trunk. I put my clothes on top of the quilt and handed Eric his black tank top.
He put it on and said, "Your flashlight is in the glove compartment," as he closed the trunk lid. Then he just stood still and looked at me. I knew what he was thinking before he spoke and shook my head.
"Yes, you should go to your brother," he said.
"No, no. I don't want to leave you." I started to cry and he took me in his arms.
"I can't protect you 24 hours a day, my love. He can. And the law enforcement in your town can. You'll be safe there."
"I want to go with you."
He wiped my tears as they fell. "You can't."
I stopped crying. "I'll drive you to New Orleans."
"No. You need to drive straight to Bon Temps. Don't stop for anything. If a police car tries to pull you over, keep going and drive straight to the sheriff in Bon Temps. Once you're there, never leave your brother's side until you are certain it's safe. Do you understand? He loves you; he'll protect you."
"Yes. But who will protect you?"
Eric smiled a little smile. "I'll be fine. I've survived for over a thousand years and only depended on someone to protect me in the past week. Someone brave and kind."
He hugged me tightly to him, then looked at me again. "This has been the happiest week I can remember in my very long life. I was wrong when I said I felt something like love for you. I do love you, Sookie. I'm certain of it. No matter what happens, know that I love you."
He crushed me to him and his lips hungrily kissed mine. I closed my eyes and let the tears fall as I kissed him back.
When he broke the kiss, I touched his face and said, "I love you, too."
"I know you do, my love."
He kissed me one last time and then stepped back before he rose in the air. I watched him fly away and then I got in the car and drove to Bon Temps.
I saw the sheriff's car parked in front of Jason's house and felt the tension drain from my neck and shoulders. I'd been a wreck all the way home, watching my rear view mirror, and I finally felt safe again.
I pulled into the driveway and parked behind Jason's truck. I jumped out and knocked on the back door, but Jason didn't answer. I could see through the gauzy curtain on the window of the door that Jason was asleep on the sofa. The TV was on and he was sitting up, but with his head leaning back on the sofa.
I used my key to let myself in.
"Jason, I'm here!" I called out.
I walked to the sofa and stopped as I stood in front of him. The front of his shirt was spattered with blood and his lap was soaked with it. His eyes were open just a little and he was very clearly dead.
I turned around and calmly walked back out to my car. I backed down the driveway and pulled up beside the patrol car parked on the street. I didn't stop, but slowed down enough to look in to see a body lying across the front seat. Then I kept driving.
I told myself to keep it together even though the tears had already started. But I had to keep my head clear and decide what to do next. Suddenly, I was alone in the world and I was too scared to go home. I wondered if Jason had been scared at the end and I was glad I'd told him I loved him one last time.
I passed the ramp to get on the interstate and turned onto a smaller road that led south. I checked my gas tank and wondered how much money I had in my purse. Survival is the first order of business, I told myself. I wiped my teary eyes so I could see better to drive and then headed to New Orleans, the only place left for me to go.
