He Left Me to Die. Now I'll Survive Without Him! novel · Chapter 20 of 24

Chapter 20: Sit

Eli's POV

I saw him go over the wire from the cab of the plow truck.

I didn't think.

I kicked the door open and ran.

My boots hit the frozen ground in the dark, and I could hear Cody over the gunfire, a thin wail, "Eli, Eli."

He had never called me that in fear before.

Brent was across the berm, in the gap Hank had planked over, with the boy on his hip and a hunting knife in his other hand.

He stopped when he saw me, with the open field behind him and the burning trucks beyond.

Two raiders were crouched in the weeds fifty yards off, watching.

"That's far enough," Brent said.

I stopped ten feet from him.

My shotgun was empty in my hands, and I dropped it.

"Let him go," I said.

"Why? He's mine. You heard Shelby, you saw the card, I don't care." His voice had no sense in it. "I raised him. I paid for him. He's the only thing I've got."

"He's six."

"He's currency!"

The knife came up against Cody's jacket.

Cody went rigid and stopped screaming.

I have been afraid in many places.

I was never afraid like that.

I put my hands out to my sides, open.

"Take me," I said.

"What?"

"The raiders want something to trade. I'm bigger than he is. I'm worth more. Hand him to me, and take me with you."

← Chapter 19 · All chapters · Chapter 21 →

Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend