"Haunted house it is," I reply, heading towards the back of the festival and the faint sound of screams. "Oh yeah? He sounds like a treat."

Whenever I hear about other people my friends know showing up in the city, I am filled with dueling senses of jealousy and relief. As much as I want to see my parents or Marzia again, I'm not sure that I would wish Darrow on them. I would rather they be at home and happy, with nothing amiss. I can stomach missing them, as long as they aren't missing me.

"I haven't done one of these in years," I say as we get in line, pressing up onto my toes to try and get a look at the front before turning to give Jamie a teasing smile. "You'll have to hold my hand. You're way more tough than me."