Breaking the Chains

Chapter Twenty Seven

Matt. The little brother Riley had to watch over while they were both younger. The little boy that would dance and sing with all his heart right before Riley tucked him in bed. Matt. The one Riley had talked the most passionately about. The boy that Riley had survived for since the beginning. Eli understood. He understood her tears, her silent screams. And though he wanted to take all that pain and put it into him, he knew he couldn't, and that hurt him. All he could do was stroke her back and hope that she'd feel better. All he could do was be there for her.

"It was just a dream," Eli said quietly into her ear delicately but Riley only shook her head. "You had a nightmare. It wasn't real."

"It felt like it was," she whispered shakily right before she cried into his chest again. Eli closed his eyes tightly as he held her a bit closer in his arms.

"But it wasn't real, Riley," he said gently in her ear as he continued to stroke his back. Eli felt tears glistening in his eyes but he tried his best to hold them in. One reason why he fought was because he knew he'd get through it.  But then, he fought to survive because of her. The girl in his arms. He also fought for his family but something about Riley made him fight harder for his life. He clenched his jaw as he held the girl in his arms, hoping that instead of crying, she would smile.

"It was!" Riley cried out in between sobs. Eli had to hold his breath for a moment.

"But look," he said quietly. "You're in my house with my family. You aren't at your home. Your brother isn't dead. He will be okay," he took a short breath before he finished off with, "and so will you."

"He had this weird disease and my parents didn't catch it on time and he got really sick and he died. Eli," she sniffed as she tried to hold it her cries, "what happens if it wasn't just a dream?"

"It was, Riley," he said gently. "Don't be scared. We'll make sure he's okay." Eli took a breath before he pulled away from the calmer girl so he could look at her face. "He's going to be okay," he said quietly. She looked up to his eyes. Her's were rimmed with a red and tears were still glistening. Eli clenched his jaw as he looked into them, seeing the fear behind them. It was a different kind of fear than what he saw before when he first into them. "I," Eli gulped before he looked down just slightly with his eyes before making them bounce back up to her eyes one more. "Riley, listen," she closed her eyes and her shoulders hunched. Eli frowned deeply before he felt the courage course through his veins. "I want to protect you from everything that could happen from now on. I want to make sure that you'll be okay and I don't want to leave you." Riley nodded very slowly, as if she was accepting something. "Riley, I want to be with you."

Riley opened her eyes and looked up to Eli's face before tilting her head. "But you are. You are right in front of me." Eli parted his lips partially before a grin curled on his lips. "What?" She asked as her brows lowered in worry.

"Nothing," he said after a moment. "You're just cute," he added after a second. Riley's cheekbones turned into a delicate pink and they made Eli grin just a bit. "And you're beautiful." Riley shook her head and looked down to her lap. "Hey," he said carefully as he brought her attention back up with his main finger and thumb. "I'm being honest."

"But look at me," she said quietly. She lifted up her arms and showed him her bruised and cut arms. Eli didn't take his eyes away from her's. "I'm a mess."

"You're beautiful," he said again with a soft smile. Riley clenched her jaw and brought her arms down. "I don't lie," he grinned. "Unlike you who tried to convince me you were the boss." Riley lightly laughed at that before a smile was the only thing left. Eli couldn't wipe the grin from his lips. "I never believed you," he added eventually. "And I also had a feeling that you didn't eat any of those sandwiches." Riley shrugged.

"You were hungry," she whispered.

"But so were you," he added with intense eyes.

"I hardly ate," Riley shot back with a mumble.

"I didn't need to," Eli breathed out and gently placed his forehead against her's. "The point is," Eli said eventually, "I like you."

"I know you do," Riley said back slowly. "Isn't that why you kissed me?" Eli nodded back very slowly. Riley smiled hesitantly. "And now you want to be stuck with me?" Riley asked curiously in a quiet way.

"Of course," he said after a moment. Riley took in a small breath before she murmured something to herself. Eli didn't understand what she said and he didn't expect what Riley did. She kissed him, on the lips. He grinned as he kissed her back, gently resting his right hand on her cheek. After a few seconds, she winced and he pulled back. "Did I hurt you?" Riley opened her eyes slowly before she replied.

"The cheek still is still throbbing," she mumbled. Eli nodded just slightly. "Eli?" She asked after a moment of silence. The boy looked toward her after staring at his lap with a small smile. "Is there a park nearby we can go to?"

Eli nodded and smiled before he reached for her hand, wrapped his fingers around it, then stood up with her beside him. "It's a few blocks away, but I'd always go there." Riley nodded as she listened carefully. Eli lead her toward the kitchen where Nona was cooking. Most people were asleep since it was still very early in the morning, but Nona would always be up the latest. "Nona?" Eli asked.

"Yes?" The woman turned around and looked at Riley and Eli. "What are you two doing up so late?"

"I couldn't fall asleep and Riley had troubles," Eli said quietly. Nona's eyes quickly darted toward Riley before back on Eli. "We were wondering if we could go to the park."

Nona shook her head immediately. "The last time you went out around this time, you were kidnapped. I'm not letting that happen again, especially when that girl hasn't been found yet." Then, Nona's eyes perked up as she looked at Riley. "I called your parents." Riley immediately froze and her breath hitched. "I found a missing sign down the street while I was driving and I tore it off and it had a number on it." Nona smiled and her eyes smiled along. "I've never heard anyone that happy." Riley gulped as she stumbled for words for a moment.

"W-what did they - is M-Matt - thank you so much!" Riley let go of Eli's hand and wrapped her arms quickly around Nona. Tears came down her eyes as she gently shoved her face in the woman's shoulder.

"They are going to come get you tomorrow morning," she said softly and stole a glance from Eli. His face fell and immediately he looked heartbroken.

Riley was leaving him?

_______________________________________

Such happy feels....
But then...
Poof!

I'm feeling a bit conflicted about what I feel, though. I mean, she has her FAMILY back...but she's leaving ELI!

Don't worry though. Things are still happening. 

But I think this story is only a few chapters away from being done....

Comment what you think might happen....!!!

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Peace out Secrets and God bless you all!

-S