I sat down next to him to catch my breath and drink a little more water. “Is this your thinking day, Elijah?”

He nodded. “Oh, yes. It has been so peaceful. Have you found your backpack?”

“Maybe. I thought I saw it a couple of days ago, inside the guy’s backpack who stole it from me. I have to think of a way to get it back without getting a black eye.”

Elijah nodded. “I see. Well, you are a creative young lad. I am sure you will come up with the perfect solution that will be safe for everyone.”

“I sure hope so. Hey, Elijah, did you by any chance see a little chocolate-colored shih-poo with a head cam run by here?”

He shook his head. “A head cam? I sure would not have missed that. Is he your dog?”

I sighed. “Yep. He ran off. And he was spotted over by the Bow Bridge. We’re headed there now.”

“Oh, I am so sorry he’s lost. My, you seem to be going through a few fiery trials of late.”

My token surged. “Fiery trials?”

“Yes. You had your backpack stolen. And now your dog is missing?”

“And his best friend,” Zoe added.

“Your friend is missing?”

“No. He moved.” I said. “To Florida.”

“Oh.” Elijah nodded again. “I am so sorry, Arcade. Sometimes trials come all at once.”

“You’re telling me.”

“It feels horrible, but I was just reading that when that happens, we can rejoice, because trials help us build endurance and strength of character.”

“Yeah,” Zoe said. “I’ve been telling Arcade that his mettle is being tested.”

“Mettle? That is a complicated word.”

“I’m finding that out.” I slumped down on the bench.

Elijah leaned forward. “Well, I will be sure to keep an eye out for a flamingo backpack and a little dog with a head cam.” He pulled out a paper from his book and scribbled on it. “Here is my phone number. Call me if you would like the use of my pedicab for your search. No charge.”

I took the paper. “Thanks, Elijah. You’re the best.”

I shook his hand, and he rested back on his bench while Zoe and I took off toward the Bow Bridge. And for some reason, I didn’t feel as panicked as before.

“I like Elijah,” I said. “He’s peaceful.”

“Yeah. I think it’s the Ramble.” Zoe gazed up in the trees and watched a few birds flitting around.

“No, I think it’s him. He’s always like that.”

*  *  *

My phone rang. It was Scratchy.

“Hey, Arcade, Carlos and I have been all over the area around Bow Bridge. No sign of Loopy. I’m sorry, man. Is there anywhere else you’d like us to look?”

“Where are you now?”

“We’re at that little café a few blocks south of the lake. Picking up a snack.”