"If it means keeping you from being forced into the Air Force, then, yes." He'd wanted out of here for a while; only Isobel's blackouts had made him change his mind, but if Alex was in danger, too? Michael had to do what he could to keep Alex safe, too.

The cast on his hand was a good idea, if they stayed, but if they stayed, and Alex wound up leaving Michael behind, then it wouldn't really matter. Nothing would.

Maybe that was melodramatic, teenage thinking, but it was how he felt.

He didn't want to leave them forever, granted, but...long enough to make sure Alex was safe. That his father couldn't hurt him anymore. Whether that was them being a little older, having their own money or standing, or learning how to fight back...they'd figure that out.