Jo

"Do you ever plan on telling me where we're going?"

"Eventually."

"And that would be when?"

"Has anyone ever told you you're annoying?"

Jo smiled broadly. "Not for the last couple of years."

The two had been traveling for several days. Kerus led them east but was veering slightly south as well. He, too, stayed away from the interstates and larger highways but Jo was able to at least figure out what state they were in by looking at the license plates of the cars. Right now, they were somewhere in western North Carolina, moving through the mountains. Autumn was well underway and the trees were awash in yellows and oranges, making for a pleasant ride.

Nights, however, were a different story. Kerus usually found some sort of shelter but often, it was nothing more than run-down shacks or sagging mobile homes. This part of the country had always been desperately poor and many of the rural homes were already in bad shape. Years of constant rain, snow, and scorching sun had all taken their toll. Jo had refused to enter many of the places he had chosen, forcing them to travel after dark despite his reluctance to do so. She had asked him why once and he had only stated it was safer to be on the road in the daylight. She wondered if it had to do with the horses since she had often continued well into the night but was unable to get any further explanation from him.

Kerus shot her a sour look. "If I give you a general idea, will you shut up?"

"I might. Try me."

"We're headed to a city called Charlotte."

"What's there? My next assignment?" She hid her smile when he cursed under his breath. Needling him had become a great way to pass the time. Besides, it was fun to watch him get so annoyed, especially since he had no choice but to put up with it.

"My answer was more specific than it should have been yet you still insist on pushing me. Why?"

"Because I'm the one who has to complete these assignments, not you. It would be nice to know what I'm headed into so I can plan." And it's fun, she added silently.

"You'll have ample time to get ready."

Despite the satisfaction she got from getting him so riled up, she was also starting to get pissed. She pulled the horse, whom she had named Gracie, to a stop and crossed her arms.

It took Kerus a few minutes to realize she was no longer alongside. Wheeling his horse around, he trotted back to her, face filled with thunder. She no longer feared him and instead stared defiantly.

"Get moving," he snarled.

"Not until you tell me more."

"I will, When we get to Charlotte."

"No, you'll tell me know. And, while you're at it, you can tell me why it's some big, dark secret."

Kerus stared at her for several long minutes, eyes blazing. "Fine. I'll tell you. But not now. When we stop for the night."

"When we stop for lunch."

Kerus stared for a moment longer then caved. "When we stop for lunch." He turned his horse, which she had named Glitter when she saw how much it annoyed him, and trotted away.

"When is lunch?" she called, smiling broadly as she trotted after him.

"The woman needs a gag," she heard him grumble, causing her smile to broaden even more.

She continued to pester him for over an hour until he finally lost his temper.

"Enough!" he roared, causing the horses to lay their ears flat. She reached down to soothe Gracie while she waited for him to blow himself out. "We will stop when I say we stop. Stop pestering me like some child after a piece of candy or a new toy."