I wanted to kick myself as the words left my mouth. I didn’t regret saying it, but a peculiar feeling had washed over me. Sure enough, Atlas smiled at me, but I noticed an unmistakable hostility.

My dad spoke up, “What are you saying? Mr. Atlas had a drink, so he shouldn’t be driving!”

“Oh,” I replied, getting up. “Alright.”

When we got to the car, Atlas said, “Head to Cresswind Valley.”

My heart sank a bit. Although Cresswind Valley was closer than Fremont Bay, I wondered why he didn’t want