The cold bit at his exposed face and Elijah made a mental note to try and remember his scarf and gloves next time. Often he was so wrapped up in others that he himself was overlooked. So, even with the mental note there was no guarantee that it would be implemented. A sudden gust of cold wind froze him in his tracks and stole his breath away for a moment.<br/><br/>“I might also want to invest in an actual coat for myself....” he muttered into the night, the strap on his shoulder adjusted one more as he continued his trek to the overpass. Even before he had fully arrived he could smell burnt wood, plastic, basically anything that they could burn in order to stay warm. There were a few of them who were drinking and being loud with one another about a particular sleeping spot. Those were not the ones that he helped, though he wished that he could help them all, there were some that would not use his help for what it was intended and that would limit those whom he could actually help.<br/><br/>It was with heavy heart that he made this decision but there was not much that he could do. If those would not  help themselves, there was only so much that he could do for them. The gravel and broken glass crunched beneath his boots as he headed to the larger tents. These were the ones that needed the most help, families who had lost everything and were now on the streets trying to survive. Perhaps, it was because of the fact that he and his own mother had nearly ended up in the same place that he felt such a strong connection?<br/><br/>A less than understanding landlord and Elijah could have ended up like these children. Cold, hungry and scared, unsure of where the next meal will come.<br/><br/>The snap, crack and pop of the fire as it burned in the barrel threw up small embers to the night sky. Smell of smoke now thicker in the air and Elijah wondered how those who crowed around it could stand the sting of the smoke in their eyes, then the cold wind picked up once more and he knew.<br/><br/>“Elijah!” came the small outcry of a child who left the warmth of the barrel to collide with his legs.<br/><br/>“Hey there, Tony!” he knelt down and scoped the small child up into his arms and carried him back to the warmth of the fire.<br/><br/>“Hello, Elijah,” the tired though kind voice of Tony's mother spoke forth, as her arms held out to take back her child.<br/><br/>A slight shake of his head and he just adjusted his hold on the child instead, “Hello, Mrs. Lockermen, Mr. Lockerman.” With some care he extended his hand to the husband, who grasped it in a firm shake. “Where is Emily? I have gifts for the children,” Elijah asked while he looked about the fire for signs of the older girl child.<br/><br/>“She is not feeling too good today and is laying down in the....house...” the woman replied with a soft and embarrassed tone. “Please call us Mary and Anthony,” she said with a bit more of a playful tone.<br/><br/>“Sorry, habits and such of my upbringing,” Elijah responded with a smile before he first set Tony and then his bag on the ground. “Ok, Tony...” he remarked while he dug through the bag. “I need someone who is really strong and smart to help me with something, do you know of anyone like that?”<br/><br/>“Me! Me! ME! I am strong and smart!” the eager voice of the child rung out through the cold night air.<br/><br/>“Then, this is perfect. I need you to take these into your house, ok?” he handed him two of the blankets, sealed and wrapped in tiny packages, plus a thermist of hot chicken soup. “Take these to your sister and make sure she drink two cups from this before you come back out to get the rest of the stuff, ok?”<br/><br/>“That's easy!” the items where gathered up in the little boy's arms and he rushed off to do as he was told.<br/><br/>“Now that little ears are gone,” he stated before he stood and looked back to the parents. “How are things? Did you hear about any job offers?”<br/><br/>Anthony sighed and nodded, “There is one, but there is no way for me to be able to go to it and leave them....” he looked about the area. “Here. Someone tried to attack Emily last night when I had gone for the interview,” the anger and pain in his voice caused Elijah own heart to ache and his blood to boil. “Without a man here to protect them, some think they are fair game. I know I can get the job, but how can I leave them out here?”<br/><br/>This was a common issue with the families that were forced onto the streets and not just from other street residents either. There were those that thought it fun to take advantage of those less fortunate than themselves.<br/><br/>“Alright. This is what we are going to do,” Elijah began as he went into his wallet and took out some cash. “You guys are going to use this to get a hotel room for a couple days, then you are going to give this shelter a call,” money and business card handed over to the very shocked faces. “I did a job for them last month free of charge, but they said they would owe me a favor. I never thought to ever use it, but you guys need a place to stay until you can get a place of your own. So, call them and tell them that you are a friend of Elijah Maddox. Ask them if they can get you and your family into the shelter and help you find a place as a favor to me. Explain how you have a job lined up and just need that little bit more help until you can get back on your feet. Take my card too and let me know if I can do anything for you. I could take the kids for the afternoon or something so that the two of you can do what you need to get a place. Tomorrow use the phone at the hotel to call me and let me know what you want to eat, I'll do a bit of grocery shopping for you guys. My number is on this card,” another card handed over to them with his information on it.<br/><br/>“Elijah...I...we....” the husband was at a lost for words and his wife faired no better. As is stood she was already a mess of tears at the kindness that Elijah showed them. “I don't know when I could pay you back...”<br/><br/>“Don't worry about it,” before he could say more,  as Tony came back a big grin on his face.<br/><br/>“I got her to drink three cups!”<br/><br/>“Very good, Tony. Now for your surprise,” again he knelt down to his bag and took out the airplane he had brought. “Here you go, now just make sure you don't get too far from your mother while you play with it and share with the other kids, ok?”<br/><br/>“This is for me? Really?”<br/><br/>“Yep. Really,” he said and watched as the look of complete joy took over the child's face. The hug that was practically thrown at him was strong as the child poured all of his strength into his little body to give Elijah the biggest hug that he could manage. That done he ran back to their “house” to show Emily.<br/><br/>“While at the shelter, you guys should all see a counselor. Trust me, sometimes it helps to talk,” he held his hand out for farewell shakes, only to have it turn instead into hugs and tearful thanks.<br/><br/>When he was finally able to move on he felt good knowing that at least for tonight there would be one less family on the streets. After that it was fairly simple to hand out what was left in his bag and then start the trip home, which now seemed longer than the trip out there.<br/><br/>“Still have that program to work on too for tomorrow,” he said with a yawn to himself and shuffled his way home.