Michael ran a hand through his hair. "My God, Aaron," he said, "I don't know what to say." He had never even made up a story as wild as the one Aaron had just told him. He stood and walked over to get his phone.
Aaron new immediately what Michael was planning to do. "You're calling the cops, right?" he said. "No way. No cops."
Michael looked at him. "You do know that this low-life scum will come looking for you."
"What, do you think I'm an idiot?" Aaron said. "I know, okay?" Tears welled in his eyes and he stood and walked over to the wall of windows. His face reflected in the glass as he looked out at the city lights and calmed himself for a few moments. "You don't know this man. He's some kind of psycho. If I turn him in, God only knows what he'd do to my mom." He paused. "I can't let that happen."
Michael foolishly hadn't considered that. He replaced his phone, then walked over and stood with Aaron at the window.
"Aaron, I'm sorry," he said. "What's your mother's name?"
Aaron rubbed his nose and spoke softly. "It's Ashley."
"Don't worry, Aaron. I'd never do anything that could hurt Ashley."
Avery, John
Three Days To Die