"Well, that was different," I said, because I didn't think anyone went from eight to twelve nearly overnight, then from twelve to sixteen in a matter of weeks. If not for coming to Darrow, I suspected I would have become a full grown man not long after that, but it was if this city had somehow halted it. Made it so I was aging properly for the first time since I was truly eight years old.

"Do you think I'll grow more still?" I asked. "I was five feet and ten inches the last time I was measured. I think I would like to be taller than this, but not yet. Eddie could catch up a little bit more first."

I didn't mind that he was shorter than me. I just didn't want him to feel like he was too small.