10
Thad was in trouble.
He stood just inside the entrance of a giant kids party place called Razzy Tazzy. Hundreds—not dozens— hundreds of children were running around and screaming like banshees. Inflatable slides almost a story tall gleamed beneath bright ceiling lights and dozens of arcade games flashed as sirens went off every time they spat out tickets to young, screeching kids.
“Holy shi—” he stopped himself short as a tiny hand squeezed his. He looked down at Lyra, who wore a bright pair of red leggings and a green shirt, beside him. He’d chosen something he’d thought at the time would make her easy to spot, but all the kids dashing about wore clothes that were just as bright. She was going to blend in, so he couldn’t risk letting her out of his sight.
“You ready for this, kiddo
