Breaking the Chains

Chapter Twenty Two

Riley was the first one to wake up out of the entire group. The men and the women were all snoring while the curled up on the floor with their blankets. Riley was breathing lightly and when she started to sit up, all she felt was pain and Eli's arms around her. She looked toward him and gave a smile before she carefully sneaked out of his grip. It took her around two minutes to fully get out of his arms just because whenever she moved, she'd hear him make a noise or he would move. At one point, she had to hold in her laughter before she carefully got off the bed.

The owner of the motel must have snuck in over night because on one of the nightstands were two welcome baskets. Riley smiled and read the attached note, which read:

Dear guests,

Here are a few more welcoming baskets for you and your friends. Also, if you need to stay any longer, please let me know and I will make that happen.

If any of you need anymore help, please just talk to me and I will try my best to make it happen. 

Enjoy your stay,

Henry County.

Riley smiled and put down the note beside the baskets and grabbed one of the apples and a cookie before she went out of the room to get some air. Not many people were in the motel just because it was broken down and old, so she didn't feel nervous when she went into the hall. As she walked toward the main entrance, she felt her legs wobble but she knew it was because of what had happened. Her lungs still burned if she took in too much air, but that was to be expected.

And then Riley jumped and tried to hide when she heard a male voice behind her. The man immediately got quieter as he neared her and when she turned around, she saw that it was the owner.

"Riley! Ah, did you sleep well? Did you enjoy the baskets?" The man looked up and down the girl and saw that she was wearing the sweats and black shirt that he'd given her.

"All of the others are still sleeping," she said with a tired voice before she continued. "And thank you for the baskets. We have all been starving for a while."

"I completely understand," he started and smiled. "Is there anything else you need at all?" The man crossed his arms in a friendly way as he waited for the girl to answer.

"Well, I was wondering if there was a way for me and my friend to find our way home?" The man nodded immediately and smiled.

"Of course! I could drive you there myself, if I have to." The man took in a breath as he smiled. 

"Thanks. I think that will be what we'll need. I'll go talk to him quickly." Riley smiled gently before walking back to her room. Eli was still fast asleep and was curling up with one of the pillows that was left in front of him. Riley grinned as she walked over toward him and lightly shook him awake. "Eli," she said softly.

"Five more minutes," he muttered and pushed his face into his pillow. Riley smiled at how relaxed he seemed. She glanced around the room and saw how relaxed they all were. She was feeling that way herself now that she was free.

"It's time to go," Riley said quietly as she hesitantly ran her hands through his dry hair. Her hair was still damp in some areas but she was okay with that. 

"Go where?" He mumbled as he slowly pulled his face away from his pillow. Riley nearly laughed before she took his pillow away and lightly hit him with it on his head. "I'm awake!" He mumbled louder than he did before.

"Good. Now come on," she grabbed his hand gently and slowly helped him sit up. "We're getting a ride home."

"But remember the last time?" Eli said tiredly before he rubbed his eyes with his free hand.

"The owner is driving us, Eli," Riley said in return. He opened his mouth to say something else but he thought against it and closed his mouth. "Here," Riley let go of his hand and went to the pile of clothes in the corner to get him a pair of pants and shirt. "Put these on," she said when she plopped the clothes on his opened arms. 

Eli did as she said.

He forced the shirt through his arms and head before the rest of the fabric fell to cover his muscular stomach and biceps, though they were full of scars. Then Eli stood from the bed and pulled the sweats up to his waist gently. "They're comfy," he muttered before he looked up to Riley. "Hey, we're matching!" He said in an excited voice before he grabbed her hand and smiled. There was silence before his bright smile lowered into a slight one. "Riley," he said and let his voice lower as the name rolled off his almost dry tongue. "We're finally free."

Riley could only nod before she got her eyes glued onto his. "I know," she said gently before Eli swooped down and gently crashed his lips onto her's. Riley closed her eyes and would've smiled if his lips didn't have control over her's. Her body eased against his as her arms wrapped around his sides, and his arms the same to her. 

Eventually, Eli slowly brought his lips away as a sweet smile formed on his lips. "That was worth the wait," he said gently before he leaned toward her again and lightly kissed her lips before looking into her eyes. Riley felt like she was in a trance before she grinned and nearly laughed. "What?" Eli said as his smile grew. "What's so funny?" He asked as she pressed her face against his beaten chest and began to laugh. Of course, her laughter was muffled but after a while, she began to cry. "Riley?" He whispered gently into her ear as he rubbed her back. 

"It was so hard," she said in a weak whisper before she pulled her face away from his chest. "I wanted to die so many times," she said while tears fell down her eyes and onto her rosy cheeks. Eli frowned but he knew what she meant. "I thought they were going to kill me," she finally breathed out and let the final tears fall out of her eyes.

"I know," he said gently as he brushed her tears away as gently as he could on her bruised face. "But I'm here and I'm going to protect you."

"I know," she answered before she grabbed his hand and smiled weakly before she made her way toward the front entrance with the boy following her as he held her hand.

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Hey guys! I know this chapter is a bit different than the others but I think that's okay. I feel like now after they escaped the second time, it's more relaxed.

Now as much as I want this story to be thousands of chapters long, I think there are only around 5-10 more chapters until their journey is done.

But maybe once it's complete, there will be a second little bit of their journey in a different little book. If you like that idea, just leave a comment.

If you enjoyed this short chapter, please vote...

And follow me if you haven't already!

Peace out Secrets and God bless you all!

-S