Borderline

Chapter 7

It had been about a month since Eli last tried to find me.

I wouldn't say I was sad about it, but for some reason I wasn't happy either.

I sat on the roof of the hospital, legs dangling over the edge. If someone were to push me from behind, I would fall to the concrete 15 stories below. Not that I cared.

I surveyed the city, silently judging everyone walking along the crowded sidewalks.

I was looking for someone in particular. A boy with blond hair and a somewhat annoying voice.

Yes, I was looking for Eli.

But if anyone were to ask, I would deny it.

Something about Eli sent chills through my body. I didn't like it.

He had plagued my dreams for the past week, and it was truly irritating. My eyes landed on the alley that housed my box, and I broke out into a devilish grin.

There he was.

I moved back and stood up on the roof, deciding to take a more interesting path back home. I moved to one side of the roof before breaking out in a full sprint and jumping off the side.

For about 3 seconds, I felt like I was free. There was nothing below me to save me from certain death if I missed the next building. I lived for this feeling, this rush of adrenaline.

I landed swiftly on the next roof before running at full speed and jumping to the third building. Then the fourth. And the fifth.

I lost count of exactly how many building I jumped to, but I didn't care. Eventually I reached the end of the row and had to climb down a fire escape clinging to the brick side of the building.

As soon as my boots hit the pavement, I started running again. I loved running. It was the closest I could get to flying after jumping roofs.

When I was within about 30 feet of my alley, I slowed to a walk. I was trying to make it look like I wasn't excited to see him.

Because I definitely wasn't.

I poked my head around the corner and saw him sitting next to my box with his eyes closed.

I snuck up to him and stood there for a few seconds before squatting down and whispering in his ear.

"You know, it's really unsafe to be here with your eyes closed."

Eli jumped as I whispered, and I cackled.

"You're such a scaredy cat, Eli! That was way too easy!"

Once Eli realized who it was, he smiled too. "Oh. Hey, Ryder." He stood up and brushed off his pant legs. Then he stepped really close to me. "Don't you know it's not nice to scare people like that?"

I raised my eyebrow, keeping the smirk on my face. "Who said I was a nice person?" I grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer so that our faces were almost touching.

I looked into his dark brown eyes with my own sparkling green ones. I watched as his face flushed with color at our closeness. This made my smile grow.

"You seem happy about something," I teased.

Eli's eyes widened and he pushed me away from him. I laughed as he crossed his arms. "Don't do that," he muttered.

"Aww, why not?" I mock-pouted, sticking my bottom lip out.

Eli raised an eyebrow at me.

"What?" I asked, noticing that his attitude seemed to shift.

"Why are you being so friendly today? Last time I saw you, you basically told me that you'd kick my ass next time you saw me."

I shrugged. "Are you complaining? Cause I can switch back to being not-so-friendly if you want."

Eli shook his head. "No, I think I'll be fine if you don't hate me."

"Who said I don't hate you?" He didn't say anything.

Suddenly, I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the entrance to the alley. "What are you doing?"

"Taking you somewhere."

Eli didn't fight it. He just followed and trusted me. I liked that about him.

That was the only thing I liked though.

***

We finally reached our destination: the warehouse.

I led him inside, keeping a firm grip on his hand as I navigated through the always-present crowd.

I stopped in front of Joshua's booth, expecting him to be standing there with a smile on his face.

That was only half true.

He was standing, but the look on his face was one of pure terror. Immediately, I checked behind me for a tail, but the only person behind me was Eli, who looked just as confused as I was.

"Josh, what's-"

Before I could finish my sentence, Joshua stuck his hand out. In it was a crumpled up piece of paper.

I took it warily and unfolded it, letting go of Eli's hand. The note was written in a messy scrawl; one that I'd seen before.

The note only said three words, but those three words caused my heart to stop.

I found you.