You Promised
"Daddy!" Andrea screamed with delight as her lifted her into the air. She clenched her father and hugged him tightly.
Her father chuckled. "Now, Andrea, daddy has to go away for a little while."
A look of pure disappointment covered the little girl's features. "Play with me!" Her lip curled.
"I can't right now, honey." Her father sat her down gently.
Andrea brushed a tear from her eye.
"Mr. Thomas," Her father motioned at a large man in a black suit. "Will watch after me. He'll make sure that your daddy comes back to you."
Andrea sniffed at looked at Thomas. "You promise?"
Thomas seemed uncomfortable at the question. After all, it wasn't common for a man in his business to have to answer such questions from an employer's daughter. He smiled at Andrea. "Yes, girl, I promise I won't let anything happen to your father."
Andrea's sniff turned into a smile. She ran up and hugged Thomas. Thomas padded Andrea's head and smiled. It reminded him of his daughter before she passed on.
"Go inside, honey. I'll be back soon." Her father coaxed.
Before Andrea could move, Thomas noticed a red dot on her father's collar. At first he thought that it was lint. Thomas's stomach sank when he realized what it was. The father's chest suddenly burst, splattering the ground in crimson red. Andrea screamed as her father collapsed. Thomas ducked behind the car, his gun at ready.
"Daddy!"
Andrea grabbed her father. Fresh crimson soiled her white dress. She looked at Thomas with tearful eyes.
"But....." She couldn't find the words within her. "......you promised?"