When Worlds Collide

Chapter 36

*ELI'S POV*

I kept my eyes on the road, speaking in an even tone. "What about Florida?"

"Eli, honey, we really need to leave. It's the only way I can protect you from your father. Besides, Arthur is a kind man and he's very rich. You'll never need to work to earn money and buy things for yourself. Arthur can do that. You can just sit around and do whatever you want." I glanced at my mom, shocked by her words.

"Mom, I actually enjoy working. And as I said before, I can't leave Anna. I love her. And if we leave, there's nobody to stop my father from hurting her. What happens then? If he finds her and I'm not there to protect her? You know what he's like, what he's capable of, and what he'll do to get what he wants. We can't leave Anna." My mom sighed.

"Eli, we'll take her with us if we have to. But if we do take her, there's a greater chance of your father finding us than if we leave her." I slammed on the brakes, causing my mom and I to jolt forward as the car came to an abrupt and hard stop in the middle of the road. I turned completely in my seat to face her.

"What did you just say?" She rolled her eyes.

"Eli, you know I'm right. It's harder to hide three people than two."

"What?! You're insane. First, we'd be in a different STATE, so it would already be impossible to find us. Second, we'd be living under someone else's name, complicating things further. Third, we have no friends who know where we'd be going. So, no, it wouldn't be any easier or harder taking her with us. It would be the damn same. If you're going to say anything else like that implying us leaving her, then I swear I will make you walk back." She faced forward, allowing us to go to the store in complete silence. I contemplated moving to Florida once more and decided to bring it up to Anna when we returned to the house.