~Faith~

We sit there for what seems like hours, talking about life, assignments and our family. He sounds so excited about his family, and I'm a little jealous I can't have that.

"-and Maria outruns me, she's that fast. I don't know how she does it, must be those hours and hours of practice! She wants to become an athlete. She can swim and cycle and do so many things.
"Katie was just like me. This bike is hers. She used to have those silly bike races, and Dad used to say no to them. Obviously, they were dangerous. But she used to sneak out. You'd never guess what she was doing, apart from biking."

"What did she do???"

"She was a makeup artist and painter."

We both laugh and talk until he asks about Tyler.

"So, who is Tyler?"

"Tyler... was a drug dealer."

"You sure you want to be hanging out with dangerous people?"

"He's not dangerous. He has a little sister. About the same age as Maria. Their dad isn't in the picture, and their mom hits them."

"Oh."

"Would you not do anything to protect Maria?"

"Of course I would, but drug dealing?"

"Try living on your own without any support. Anyway, he doesn't deal anymore because he ran away and I gave him a place to stay."

"But won't the police take his sister? She's a minor and was practically kidnapped."

"You're right, but nobody knows of his whereabouts."

"Look, just be careful."

"Tell you what, Elliot. Why don't you meet him? That'd be a great idea. The two of you might get along!"

"Hmm that sounds-"

Elliot is cut off by a ping from his phone.

He reads something and his smile turns into a frown. He turns the screen towards me.

Faithful_lover

How many will you block until
you face the truth? Leave her
alone.

New message

I warned you.

But you're still next to her
on some random cliff

Don't understand why you want
that whore...

Just tell me and I'll find you better.

I look at Eli with tears in my eyes as I hand him his phone back.

"You have two minutes to explain whatever the fuck is going on."