The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

And then I couldn't see the sign anymore.  And I had forgotten to remember where it was, and this was frightening because I was lost and because I do not forget things.  And normally I would make a map in my head and I would follow the map and I would be a little cross on the map that showed where I was, but there was too much interference in my head and this had made me confused (139).

Christopher usually makes a map in his head of everywhere he goes and everything he sees- this means that he is very alert and observatory the first time he goes somewhere.  However, since he memorizes this map in his head,  the next time he goes to that place, he will be living life through his mind instead of observing what is happening right in front of him.  This also allows him to panic whenever he is in a new place and doesn't know anything about it- especially if the new place is very busy with lots of signs and images to remember.  In that case, he get very confused and can't locate himself or things he needs.  Christopher expects his vision to be exactly how he remembers it- that way he feels safe.