Where the Mountain Meets the Sea

Chapter 9 Somsak

Hello readers, 

Our boys are now free from their families and on the run but what happens next? Can an 18 year old and a 15 year old survive on their own while avoiding being recognized by Som's family? Keep reading to see their journey. Remember to vote and comment, let me know what you like ;)

After a short drive I managed to find a midrange hotel. I might have been recognised if we went to a high-end hotel. I parked the car and I brought the backpack and two duffle bags of money with us inside using one of the carts. I would have preferred to leave them in the car but they are not safe in the back seat and the trunk was full with the rest of the money...it was four more bags just like this. Anong stuck close to me and I was glad for it; he looked around nervously as I got us checked in with a room. He was obviously unsettled by all the staff and patrons bustling around. He clung to one of my arms and I whispered reassurances in his ear and rubbed his head lovingly while I went through the process. Luckily no one seemed to care that we were such messes, a high end one probably wouldn't have taken us, or at least not Anong. Once I got the key card, I put my arm over his shoulder and I led Anong to the elevator. He clung closer to me, pressed against my side as it started to move. This must all seem foreign, almost magical to him. In some ways he knew less about the world than someone who had traveled forward in time would have. It's not like he had books growing up so all he knows is what you would find in a single story house. That thought worried me, I hoped he had a hell of a poker face because we do not want to call attention to ourselves while he learns. Though growing up with criminals, I am sure that we only see what he allows us too. Once we got to the correct floor he looked glad to get off the elevator.

I pulled him along as we headed to the room. After opening it and getting the cart inside I watched as Anong looked around the room.

"A are a all rooms like tt this?" he inquired. "it's s so large" The comment amuses me, and I chuckle to myself.

"Some are even bigger, and nicer than this room." I tell him before leading him to the bed and guiding him to sit down. He looked impressed with my answer but with a bit of confusion, probably wondering why anyone would need that much space. I hated to do this now but Anong and I needed to have a conversation about what happens next.

"Anong, we need to talk..." I begin. Hope I don't fuck this up. "I need to make sure that you understand what's happening now..." I look into his eyes. Here we go...

"I paid for our freedom." He nods at me.

"You are free. You can go and do whatever you like." He probably doesn't know what that means...

"You don't need to stay with me..." I tap his hand to reassure him. I really hope he does though, he looked a little hurt when I said that. I didn't mean that I don't want you...

"This is about what you want and what your decisions will be. If you say you don't want to be with me, I will still help you to get used to the world you have access to now, I will teach you what you need to know and find people who can help you to succeed in life." He's going to need Doctors, Phycologists, teachers...There is so much he needs to be okay in this world. I don't want him to just live, I want him to thrive.

He looks at me kind of confused, I hope I'm going about this right.I sigh before taking a large breath

"I don't want you to feel like you owe me anything," I don't want him to feel like he needs to be my slave or worse my whore...

"You should have been free from the beginning. None of this should have happened to you." I'm so frustrated and I don't really know how to help Anong. I'm doing my best here but it is hard to know how to approach someone who has been through such a long period of trauma. How do you convince them they're safe? I don't want to mess up and make things worse. He begins to cry, and I gently wipe his cheeks. I really hope he is okay with my touch, I feel the need to comfort him so badly. He doesn't flinch away so maybe it's safe... I hold his cheeks in my hands and look into his eyes. These amazing eyes that drew me in from the beginning. Two dark pools pulled me in and I would happily drown in them.