Jason had been driving for over two hours with Eli crouched in the fetal position in the backseat of the stolen car. Both were silent, in shock from the incident. Jason’s vision was marred with the pool of blood that surrounded Jim’s head. His ears echoed the sound of the bat slamming against the head and then bouncing on the floor as it fell from Eli’s hand.
“What did you do?” asked Jason before he ran and held Eli. Eli was shaking like a scared puppy. He didn’t speak. He allowed Jason to hold him.
“We need to get out of here,” said Jason. That’s when he let go of Eli, searched Jim’s pockets for his car keys, and took Eli out of the motel room. He cradled Eli like a small child and gently laid him in the back seat of the car. He didn’t know where he would drive but he knew he needed to get away from the crime scene.
A cheap motel popped up and Jason decided to take a room for the night. After arranging and paying for the room, he picked up Eli and carried him to the bed. Jason cuddled from behind and held him, rocking back and forth in tandem with Eli’s motions. He patted Eli’s hair, whispered words of encouragement, kissed his neck and cheek, but Eli’s demeanor remained the same.
Morning came with Jason unaware that he fell asleep. Eli was asleep in his arms. He held him until there was a knock at the door. Jason ignored it. There was another knock. “Open up, police!” yelled a man on the other side. Jason shut his eyes, held Eli, and wished for a miracle; but the door was busted open and the two boys were dragged out of the room in handcuffs.