Breaking the Chains

Chapter Thirty

Alone. That was what Eli was. In a house full of people's voices that never seemed to quiet down or go away, he managed to feel alone. Nona had decided to make pie and Eli was forced to make it with her since he had nothing better to do. He knew that she had a feeling he wasn't the happiest, but she didn't say it out loud. Eli even felt a little lost, considering Riley was like a living compass for him in the dark rooms of torture they both managed to live through.

"Can you pass me the blueberries?" Nona asked and Eli looked toward with with a little jolt. That was his seventh time getting so lost in thought that he didn't understand what was happening. He nodded before he took in what she had requested, and then after a few seconds, he walked to the fridge and grabbed a container of blueberries and handed it to Nona. "So how did you both meet?" Nona asked once she realized what he was thinking about.

"A cell," he said, immediately knowing who she was talking about. His thoughts started to float around his head until Nona spoke up again.

"How did you end up there?" Nona asked, still curious about the entire thing. Eli clenched his jaw and balled up his fists as he closed his eyes. Nona glanced at him and let out a short breath. "I understand if you don't want to talk about it right now."

Eli nodded. "Thanks, Nona." He gulped before he opened his eyes and forced a smile toward the woman. "What else do you need?"

"Just the sugar, dear," she said with a gentle voice before Eli walked toward a jar and pushed it toward her on the counter. "You are so sweet," she said with a grin. "Get it?" She asked when Eli didn't laugh right away. "Sugar is sweet," she continued and Eli only grinned.

"I get it," he said with a tired smile. Riley made her way back into his thoughts and a frown went back onto its place on his lips. He stood in one place completely still for a little while until the phone rang. Eli jumped a bit at the sudden rings and looked toward Nona who was making her way toward the house phone. He gulped as she put the phone on her ear.

"Hello?" She asked as she glance toward Eli. A grin suddenly broke on her face before the phone was passed toward the boy. "It's Riley."

"Riley?" He said immediately once he pressed the phone onto his ear.

"Eli," she said quietly, but it was wavering. "I can't talk long."

"What's going on?" Eli asked as his brows lowered with worry. He gulped at the short silence that came between them.

"She's here," she whispered. "She found me." Eli could almost hear the gulp in the girl's voice. "My parents don't know yet. I can't tell them." There was a pause before the girl whimpered. "I'm scared, Eli."

"Where is she?" Eli asked as he looked toward Nona with wider eyes.

"She's outsi-" Riley's breath hitched before she breathed out, "there was a knock at the door."

"Don't answer it. Where are you right now?" Eli asked as he watched Nona grab her sweater and keys to the car. Some people were crowding around the kitchen, worried about what was happening. Stuff like this was common in their town, but people were always on edge once someone came back after being gone for so long.

"I'm in my bedroom with Matt. Mom and dad are in the living room." She took in a breath. "What happens if Alison does something to them?" There was movements before Riley's end went silent for a moment.

"Riley?" Eli asked worriedly.

"They let her in," she whispered. "She's going to come after me. No, no, no," Riley began to panic before Eli heard a lock being put in place. "Eli," she whimpered.