I can't stay away.

It had been a week since the last time that I had spoken a word to anyone. A week since I was raped. A week since I had seen Eli. I was almost drowning in my own sorrow. I had ignored countless calls from Eli. I knew that he was probably worrying his little head off.

I decided that I was going to go pay him a visit while Mason was out getting drunk. I dialed the number and took in a big breath.

Eli answered on the second ring, "Ruby! Oh my gosh you have no idea how torture some that this week has been. I can't go long without you."

I didn't answer for a minute, "Yeah, hey listen, Do you think you can come and pick me up?"

"Of course Ruby what's wrong? What happened?" Eli asked I could practically feel the worry coming off of him.

"Please just come and get me, please."

"Okay, are you still at HIS house?"

"Yeah, I am. But hurry okay?"

"Okay."

With that we hung up and I started throwing my things in a suitcase that I had open. I didn't care what it was but If I had bought it with my own money, it was coming with me. That was just about everything.

Several knocks were heard at the door just about the time I was zipping up the suitcase.

"I'm coming Eli." I yelled throughout the house and bolted to the door.

The second that I had opened up the door Eli's arms wrapped around my body. I flinched a little bit, not because I was in pain, but because I can't bring myself to have another guy touch me. Not after what happened with Mason, I won't trust another man again. Not even Eli.

"What's wrong, why did you flinch? Did he hurt you? If he did I'll f*****g kill him where he stands that f*****g a*****e." Eli was starting to grow angry.

I just shook my head and slammed the door behind me. Eli grabbed my suitcase and we headed back to his truck. I climbed inside as he was loading my luggage in the back of the truck.

He climbed in just a few minutes after myself.

"Now will you tell me what's wrong?" Eli asked as he reached over and placed his hand gently on mine.

I shook my head slowly and pulled my hand away from his. "No, I promise that I will tell you when I'm ready, but i'm not ready right now."

He nodded and started up the truck and we drove away from the house. Eli was focused out on the road ahead but I was lost deep in my thoughts, my gaze held absent minded out of the window. Soon we were driving past the apartment that Eli owned.

I looked over at him questioningly.

"Well, if you would have picked up your phone, then I would have told you that I moved."

I sighed a little bit, he wasn't going to let this go. "Eli, I'm sorry. But I had a little bit more important things to do okay?" I regretted the words as soon as I had spoke them.

"Oh, you just had more important things to do than call your BEST FRIEND!" Eli yelled.

"Eli, it wasn't like that." I whispered in a hurt voice.

"What was it then Ruby? Choosing him over me?"

"Eli, he raped me. Mason raped me." I spoke the words and tears filled my eyes.

"What did you just say?"

"Mason raped me Eli, I haven't spoken to a soul all week. Not just you. I locked myself away in the room and avoided all life. I didn't want you to know, I don't need a fight between the two of you. Not another one. I just need to get out of here, to start a new life."

By the time I was done speaking I was choking on my own sobs.

Eli slammed on the breaks and reached over hugging me tightly against his body as silent sobs went through my body. He shushed me and rocked me slowly in his arms.

"When I see him again, I promise you that I am going to rip him limb from limb." Eli practically growled.