Roads And Maps - Aru Shah

Looking For Home

Aru's POV

Kara and I have been on the road in the United States for 7 months now. Where? I have no idea. We were are just trying to find our way back to Atlanta. The portal got messed up when the Sleeper kept trying to track us and we ended up somewhere other than home.

Kara was excited to see Atlanta for the first time. She had never been out of the Sleepers palace. She reminded me of Rapunzel. She was fasinated by everything. This child needs to get out more.

We kept walking for about 30 minutes and found a little McDonald's.

I closed my eyes then opened them to make sure I wasn't imagining. Kara stopped walking.

"Let's go in there, Kara. They would know where we are," I said.

I started to jog towards the fast-food restaurant. Jogging is better than running. But walking is better than anything. But I was desperate. I soon made it to the door to find Kara was still standing where she stopped.

"Kara. What in the world are you doing? We have a chance to go to Atlanta!"

"Mc-Do-Nah-luds," Kara stuttered.

Oh dear...

"Mc-daa-nuhldz," I said as I jogged back to Kara. I put my hands to her back and started to push her.

She dug her heels into the ground.

Where is Brynne when you need her?

"You are so lucky Brynne isn't here right now. She would throw you over her shoulder with no warning and carry you to that door then just drop you."

"Who is Brynne? She doesn't seem nice," Kara said with a frown as we made it to the door.

"Brynne is one of my sisters. She isn't too bad when you get to know her. She makes great lasagna and she is funny too. Brynne will always stick up for you as long as you have her back. So don't make her mad."

She looked scared as she gripped the door handle and walked in.

"Now she just sounds scary and like she will cook me into a stew."

"Brynne isn't that bad Kara."

I walked up to the counter and there was a nice older lady.

"Hi, ma'am. Would you mind telling us what state and city we are in? My family and I are lost," I smiled.

She looked beside me and Kara waved at her.

"Sure but you have to order something first."

Kara and I looked at each other. I rummaged through my sweatpants pockets and finally found a 10 dollar bill.

I ordered two Big Macs hoping she would like some of the toppings that were on there.

I paid 7.34 and then the lady told us we were in Augusta, Georgia. All that just to tell us we were in the same state that we wanted to be in. But that's ok. That's good too.

We were only a few day's walk from Atlanta. We ate our burgers but Kara ended up eating everything but the burger. Weirdo.

Kara and I left and walked around on the road. A car pulled over and a man was in it.

"Hey. You girls need a ride?"

"Ye-," Kara started.

I elbowed her in the stomach.

"No. Thank you, sir."

"You wouldn't have to pay a fee or anything."

"I said we are fine. Thank you," I said again.