Berry was beside himself with happiness as he saw the horrified look on the adults' faces. He had to admit, he missed those days when he was able to rile them up like this. Nothing could beat the happiness he derived from seeing them this disturbed. He beckoned Elijah over, and the kid didn't even hesitate to jump to him, even after he was met with his mother's resistance. He sat on Berry's thighs, looking up at him with innocent doe eyes that would make anyone want to hug him.
"Listen to your father, Lije," Berry said, "if you run away from home, your mommy would be very sad and she would cry just like you are doing now. Do you want that? No, right? Be a good boy and stay at home, hmm?" Berry instructed, finally deciding that it was time to end his mischief. With the eyes this kid was looking at him with, he was sure that Elijah would run away just like Berry had told him, and the last thing Berry wanted was to be blamed for a lost child.
