Stolen

His Home Away From Hell

Eli pulled up to an abandoned building. The building was an old hospital. It didn't look in the best of shape. It had graffiti covering the outside, it had a few broken windows, basically the stereotypical abandoned hospital, minus the ghosts and it being haunted. At least I hope so.
He turned off the car and got out. I followed him in. We went up 3 flights of stairs that would creek every time we walked up it.
We took a few turns before he went into a room and plopped down on an old dusty hospital bed, crossing his feet and putting his hand behind his head, "Home sweet home." Eli said closing his eyes.
"This was your home..?" I asked slowly.
"Close enough. This was my home away from hell. This is where Danny and I met actually." Eli said, his eyes still closed.
I didn't say anything.
Eli continued, "After my shitty foster family threw me out for fighting. I got myself into trouble with the cops and ran in here. Danny's dad, as you remember is a doctor. He actually worked here before it closed down. Anyways, I was running from the cops trying to find a place to hide when I ran into this boy who was trying to find a file for his dad. He knew what was goin on since he saw that I was running and that there were police sirens in the background. Instead of being afraid, and turning me in, he helped me find a hiding place. Later on he said that he could see the fear in my eyes and that he wanted to help."Eli laughed, "He even tried to threaten me if I didn't tell him what all I did wrong." He opened his eyes, "Me, being a scared 16 year old, I told him what all had happened. Long story short, foster parents were beatin and starvin me so I stole food, clothes, and other things, like CDs, and things like that. Danny was stupid enough to feel sorry for me. He said I could stay here, he would bring me food, clothes and all that shit. It was fine for a while, but one day I found the old stash of medicine. People were stupid enough to leave medication at a hospital. I found them, I got hooked on a few things. When I couldn't find anymore I went into withdrawal. That's how he found out. I was barley sitting in a corner, my upper back and head were supported by the wall. I was practically laying. I was sweating, agitated, and I was falling apart. He found out and I did everything I could to push him away to get him out of my life. All cause he wanted me to get clean and not use anymore. He eventually told his dad so he could help, I hated him so much for that. He was the only one I could trust and he betrayed me. Danny talked to his dad and he agreed to help. After his dad helped get me clean, I realized Danny was the only family I had. His dad even let me move in with him. One night I left. I could tell his parents were fighting cause I was there, so I left. I didn't see Danny until I found out about his mom. I never liked the lady, but I felt bad. God, Danny was pissed and happy to see me. He forgave me and we were fine. I saw him right before the crash. After that I got right back in to stealing, and drugs until Justin came back around. I still steal, but not as bad and he got me off of drugs. That's how I ended up doing what I do."
"Oh wow... Well I'm glad Danny helped you. He was always a good guy." I said, shocked that he even opened up to me even more.
I could tell that he was still upset by it. I could hear it in his voice.
"You said that Justin came back into your life? You knew him before?" I asked trying to get off the topic of Danny.

He looked at me, "Yeah, I met Justin and Angel when I still lived with my foster family. Us 4, Danny included, we were so close. I met a girl, who became my first actual girl. She was my first love. Damn, I loved her more then anything in the world. Her and Danny were the only family I had. I was gonna marry that girl. She was Anthony's sister actually. That's how I know Ant. Then we all became friends. I was always closest to Danny though." Eli said.
I was shocked. Eli had a girlfriend!?
"What? You surprised I had a girlfriend?"
"That too, but I'm surprised that you have a heart." I said.
"Yeah well, with me, you have to learn to be heartless when you had a childhood like mine, and when you lost the only family you ever had." Eli said, still looking at me.
"Have you had girlfriends since?" I asked curiously.
"Nah, Natalie was the only girl I was with. All others were friends with benefits or one night stands. I only wanted her." Eli said.
"Oh wow. What happened?" I asked.
Eli sat up, "We got into a fight, and she left. We never saw her again." His voice was full of ache and pain, it sounded like he just watched Natalie get stabbed and slowly bleed out in his arms. His hands were fists.
"Eli, I'm sorry..." I said.
"She left, and Danny died. That's when Angel got so cold hearted. He was a nice guy, until Zoey died. Him and Justin were so close, but once Zoey died... Something flipped a switch for Angel. He wanted to get his vengeance for her. That's when he took interest in the business, to find you. The hatred, vengeance, power and control took over him. That's why Justin never wanted to run the business, he knew what it could do to him. He saw it happen to his dad. Justin and Anthony were too busy focusing on trying to get him back, so they didn't see that I was back on drugs. I was on heroin, I was taking marijuana and that shit. After a while Anthony noticed and made me get on track again."
Wow, I didn't know what to say. He's had it rough. I feel bad for him.
"Now you know why I'm a cold hearted ass, as you would like to call me." Eli said annoyed.
"I never said that!"
"Really? I know that you think that about me!" Eli practically yelled.
"I never said that!" I protested.
"Whatever, and sorry you're stuck with me again, and not lover boy." Eli said annoyed.
"Anthony is not my lover! I have a boyfriend!" I yelled back.
"Then act like you do and stop being all lovey-dovey with him by cuddling, having y'alls heads on each others laps or shoulders and all that disgusting shit!" Eli yelled before leaving the room.
Did Eli have a point? I mean I do that with my girls all the time. I haven't thought anything of it.