And then the entire abyss of moths erupts with the sound of millions of wings as the hoarde of creatures—all at once—lifts into the air, flapping all around us. They swirl and spin for several seconds and then settle back down as quickly as they took flight. Still, the sound has been deafening.

Inside the cocoon, a light flickers on.

We gape at it, and the long narrow bridge that leads to it. I feel like I’m going to be sick.

“I think she knows we’re here,” Ebb says.

CHAPTER 28

We’ve been standing for a couple of minutes while I wait for the courage to set foot on the bridge—as if courage were some kind of package that just arrives at your door and then you have it, and then you’re okay.

But I suppose courage is not just going to show up inside me all of a sudden. I guess it probably didn’t work like that for my mom, either, when she crossed the world looking for witches. I guess it’s more like jumping into the lake behind Germ: you just make the move. You take the step. I’m going to have to put one foot in front of the other and step onto the bridge, courage or no.

I lay my backpack down and pull out some new batteries, and replace the ones in my Lumos flashlight just in case. My hands are trembling as I slip the flashlight back around my neck.

Ebb stares at me, dim and mournful. I long to shake his hand, or give him a hug, but both things are impossible.

“I wish I believed I could do this,” I say.

“I think you could take on a witch and then some,” Ebb replies.

“Why do you think that?” I ask, wishing he could convince me, but knowing he can’t.

He stands for a moment, thinking. “Because you give me hope. And that’s not a little thing.”

I swallow, embarrassed.

“If I don’t come back, I hope you get Beyond soon.”

He nods. “I know you’ll be back. I’d never count you out, Rosie Oaks.”

“Thanks, Ebb.”

“I’ll watch from here for as long as I can.”

I nod. “Okay.”

I take a deep breath.

I turn to the bridge.

I take the step.

My stomach dips with weightlessness as I move my feet along the narrow path perched above the canyon. I want to look back at Ebb, but I’m afraid I’ll lose my balance. I’m also afraid to look down.

It’s just like the path to Germ’s house, sweetie, I think. It’s just as narrow as that. But then I think of how many times I’ve tripped on the path to Germ’s house or knocked my bike into a tree, and I try to think of something else.