In the Midst of Ryen

27.Places

I watched out my window as we turned left and then right, as if trying to find the end of a maze that we wanted out of but at the same time wanted to stay in the magic of it for just a few moments long. "What next?" Elijah asked his eyes sparkling as he stopped at the next stop sign. Even though he knew exactly where we were going he let me navigate the directions.

"Um," I turned the map trying to figure out where we were again. The corner of Gulf and 10th. The first X seemed to be only a few streets over and I could feel Elijah's excitement building at the idea of this first piece of treasure. "Turn left onto 10th, and then right on South Locust. It should be only a few blocks from there I think."

Elijah nodded with a wide grin, "This is a good one. Solid first choice if I do say so myself."

I put the map back down and reached for his hand that rested on my knee. I instantly missed the warmth from his hand on my leg but relished the feeling of his in mine. "So do I get any hints?"

"Nope." He popped the P and winked at me. "You've lived here your whole life and you have no idea where we're going?"

I shook my head, "I can't think of it for the life of me." I frowned trying to recall any reason I might have ever been on this side of town. I knew there was an animal clinic we took Simon, the cat to once, but that's about it. "Does it have to do with animals?"

Elijah's smile grew as he took the next turn, "You're getting closer. What next?"

Frowning I looked at the map again, "It looks to be about halfway down the street."

My eyes trailed the road as we passed several warehouses and the police department, slowing down as we passed it. "Are you going to tell me you've been arrested and that's why you're homeschooled now? Do you have some ankle monitor I don't know about?"

"I actually killed a man once," he laughed, "Currently on the run from the law."

I slapped him lightly on the arm and he winked, "I'm kidding. We're at the first place though."

Turning away from him I squinted against the sun, "The Animal Shelter?"