Breaking the Chains

Chapter Thirty Four

Riley fell asleep after a little bit of panic and hesitation. Eli had almost forced her to recline her chair and relax after forty five minutes on the road. Matt was even snoring in the back seat, which somehow seemed to relax Eli in an odd way. After what seemed like an entire hour of driving and not knowing where to go, he pulled over and stopped the car. His eyes felt like they were burning and in a way that was okay, but he felt exhausted and he had no phone to contact anyone with.

He reclined his chair and looked toward Riley, who had her eyes closed lightly. Eli nearly smiled before he saw a tear fall down her cheek. He frowned and gently wiped it away, which immediately woke her up.

"Hm?" She asked tiredly as she sat up quickly, but she regretted it immediately. Every inch of her body screamed so she slowly leaned back against the reclined chair and looked toward Eli. "Good morning?" She asked, unsure what time of day it was, even though she was asleep for only fifteen minutes or so.

"Sleep well?" He asked with a tired grin. He was still recovering from what had just happened but he was doing better than Riley and her little brother. Eli knew that their parents were probably not going to do very well. They may not even survive.

"Best in a while," she said quietly as she looked at him. There was a short silence before she exhausted some air from her lungs. "Thank you," she admitted in a whisper. "I don't know what I would do without you."

"You don't need to thank me," he said quietly before he adjusted himself in his seat in a way where he was a little closer to her. "You're amazing," he said after a moment.

"I'm weak," she replied weakly.

"You're tired, but you're strong." Eli's voice was quiet, but it was powerful. Riley smiled before she leaned her face toward him, seeing him do the same, before their lips collided like they had done little times before. Riley wanted to smile or laugh or something but instead, she held onto the kiss with a little bit of passion. Eli rested a hand on her lower cheek and jaw to make the kiss a little deeper. He loved her, and he knew he did. He had told her he did before. There was no question about it. But then Riley broke away, making his thoughts slow down.

"I love you," she breathed quietly against his lips. "And thank you for everything you've done for Matt and I." Eli grinned and looked into her eyes before his gaze dropped every so often to her lips.

"I love you too," he said back before he lightly kissed her lips again for a few seconds before breaking away. But once he broke away, there was a knock on the driver side window that made him jump before he slowly turned around to see that it was his Nona. He opened the door and stepped out of the car groggily. "How'd you know we were here?"

"I was at the hospital," Nona replied with a dark look in her eyes. Riley got out of the car too and made her way toward the two of them. Nona looked toward Riley and frowned immediately. "The doctors are trying their best but they think it might be too late." Riley stopped breathing for and minute and grabbed onto Eli's hand for support to stand.

"No," Riley breathed out and felt sick. "They can't die. I just got home. I just got back. I can't lose them." Riley felt tears soak her eyes as she stared at the cement road by Nona's feet. "Where will we go now?" Riley gulped after she quietly asked the question.

"You and your brother can stay with us," Nona said with a soothing voice, making Riley look back up to the woman's face. "We have plenty of room and I wouldn't mind having you under my roof where I can watch the two of you like a hawk." Riley managed a weak grin before tears rolled down her cheeks. "Don't cry, dear," Nona said quietly before bringing the girl into her arms for a hug. "It's okay. I'm here." Riley cried a little harder and that only made Nona shut her eyes tightly as she stroked the girl's back with one of her hands.

There was silence before Nona said quietly, "the police are on their way to capture Alison."

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A short chapter for my people who are reading this! I thought we'd need a little bit more Rli moments so here you are.

And...I know...I have a problem with cliffhangers!

Also..the next chapter will be a little different. Don't say I didn't warn you!

I hope you guys enjoyed! If you did, please vote....

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Peace out Secrets and God bless you all!

-S