“Where in the world is Charles?” Mark almost yelled the rhetorical question at no one. He was alone and ready to start. Starting without Charles was not an option. Not today. He was only at the beginning of the journey. A journey that may not go very well without the boy’s unique talents. This was too dangerous, and Charles could make it considerably easier to avoid trouble; he tended to notice things in a way that no other person would. Mark couldn’t decide if the young man was extraordinarily observant or possessed by some kind of gift. He would never reveal his awe to the boy, of course. He acted like it was nothing when Charles did one of his tricks. He’d often act like the information Charles had pointed out was obvious, but it wasn’t. Mark just didn’t want Charles to know how much he had come to rely on the insight of the young man.