Standing beside him, Elata tried to see everything from his point of view. “It seems far, I know. But you won’t fall.”

“I might,” he said.

“So I’ll go first,” she said. “If something goes wrong, I’ll grab you.”

“You would?”

“Or better, I’ll jump and steer you to where you want to be.”

Where he wanted to be was home, but he nodded and followed his best new friend, slowly working his way down the long trembling ladder.

Nobody fell and nobody jumped.

Diamond was never at ease, but his legs and hands soon knew what they were doing. He could even imagine some remote future where he wasn’t scared. But today he was sweating and breathing hard, and standing on the new landing, he still felt the ladder’s jerky sway.

What looked tiny from above was enormous. Jutting far out into the air, the landing was wide enough to hold a dozen chairs and giant boxes jammed with plants, plus one long rectangular basin lined with rubber and filled with water. Diamond approached the basin. Big beetles swum furiously to the far shore. The rubber was black, making the pool look deep. Beneath the surface, a long silver animal hovered on little wings, motionless until he touched the water, and then it was gone.

Elata stood beside a huge purple curtain. “Maybe your mother’s here.”

He didn’t believe so, but that slim hope smiled at him.

Past the purple curtain was a short hallway ending with a massive, iron-encrusted door. An elegant silken rope hung from the ceiling. Elata gave it a hard yank, and bells began ringing indoors.

“These people are rich,” she warned.

He couldn’t guess what those words meant.

“Filthy, wicked rich,” she said.

The door was unlatched, and a woman appeared. She didn’t look dirty at all.

“Oh, Elata.”

Diamond recognized the voice and the woman’s eyes. This was the mother who was nice to him when he visited, using happy warm words, but she wasn’t very pleasant this morning.

“You’re too early,” she complained. “He’s not ready for school.”

“I don’t want Seldom. We’re hunting Diamond’s mother.”

A first glance wasn’t enough. The woman stepped into the hallway, staring at the odd, unexpected boy. Big eyes and startled gasp came before, “Oh my. Diamond? What are you doing here?”

“We’re looking for his mother,” Elata repeated. “We need to find her.”

The woman nodded, finally understanding some part of this. “But Haddi isn’t here.”

Mother’s name was Haddi.

“Do you know where she is?” Elata asked.

“I don’t.” The woman backed away, fascination slipping into worry. “Are you all right, leaving your room like this?”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re sure?”

He nodded with confidence.

But she wasn’t convinced. “Come this way, you two. Into the greeting room, and sit.” Then she put a hand on his forehead. “You feel hot.”

“I’m all right.”

“You’re not well. Sit down and rest.”

The room would have been spacious, except for the chairs and hanging tables. Broad tubes brought in the daylight. Diamond sat on a chair full of pillows. Elata dropped beside him, saying, “My mom’s going to be here.” Then with an odd tone, she added, “As soon as she’s done searching his house.”

Rima needed something useful to do. “Do you want anything, Diamond? A drink, maybe?”

He was thirsty, yes. “Water, please.”

“Of course. And you, Elata?”

“Whatever Diamond wants. Thank you.”

The woman left. But from somewhere close, she said, “No, stay with me. You don’t need to go down there.”

A deeper voice muttered a word or two.

Then with a louder voice, Elata said, “I mean it, Karlan. You’re not bothering them.”

Elata sat up straight and said, “Shit.”

Diamond didn’t know that word.

An older boy rounded the corner, smiling at the guests. Diamond recognized him instantly and felt uneasy. Elata was worse. She clapped her hands on her knees and twisted as if hurting. “Go away,” she said. “Go.”

The boy was taller than before. A man’s body was forming under a child’s face, and the bright dead smile grew bigger as he approached.

“Hello, monster,” Karlan said.

Diamond didn’t talk.

“You healed up, did you?” The boy laughed and dropped to his knees, putting his face too close. Then he straightened a long finger, stabbing Diamond in the stomach. “Got a scar there, do you?”

Walking into the room, Rima let out a bright sharp scream.

Everyone but Karlan jumped. He remained calm and happy, and feeling no reason to hurry, he slowly rose to his feet, smiling as he stared at the much smaller boy.

“Leave him alone,” said a mother’s voice. “I mean it.”

A good deal of Rima’s life was spent throwing warnings at her oldest boy, and better than anybody else, she knew how to fend off trouble. But she also understood that she couldn’t push too hard or throw down mandates that couldn’t be defended. Her big cheerless smile was important. Resting a hand against her son’s back, she said, “It’s nearly school time. Think of all the fun you can have somewhere else.”

Karlan winked. “See you around, monster.”

He left the room.

Rima handed two tall cups to her guests before sitting on the nearest chair. She didn’t want to talk about past troubles, but every time she looked at Diamond, her resolve broke down a little more.

Elata sipped her water and put the cup aside.

Diamond drank half and left the cup in his lap, the water stained green by the morning light.

“You’re definitely all right,” Rima declared. “Definitely recovered.”

Elata watched the two of them, trying to decipher what was being said.

“I’m just so happy,” the woman said, nothing about her voice happy. “I was terrified afterwards. And I was so sorry for you, of course. But you did recuperate. No permanent harm, I heard.”

Diamond watched his water shimmering.

“I don’t know how many times I asked about you,” said Rima. “I wanted to see you and tell you how sorry I was. But your mother explained that you were weak and recovering and I couldn’t visit. And later, she said they were being very, very careful with you. They couldn’t take any more chances.”

Diamond was embarrassed and unsure why.

“What happened?” Elata asked.

“A mistake was made,” Rima blurted. “An error in judgment, that’s all. And we don’t need to talk about this anymore.”

Diamond focused on his cup and little hands.

“About your mother,” Rima said, steering the conversation. “I think of Haddi as a friend. I do. But I don’t see her much anymore. In fact, we barely speak. So no, I don’t know where she might be.” She squinted as she concentrated. “Now, of course, one of her cousins is a very good friend of mine. I suppose I could send you to him. But the last news that I heard was that even relatives aren’t invited inside the house, and Haddi never visits anymore. The family only sees your father going to work or doing errands.”

Elata turned to Diamond. “But your father’s going to be home soon. Isn’t that right?”

Diamond nodded, finding one good reason to smile.

“Well then,” said Rima, relieved by the news. “I’m sure we’ll find him, and all of these mysteries can be resolved.”

The three of them sat quietly.

A throat was cleared, and Diamond looked up. Standing in the hallway was a boy no taller than him. He looked a little like Rima. Maybe he was Elata’s age, maybe younger. A special gray suit made him look like a soldier. He smiled and jumped, muttering, “Oh, it’s you. It is you.”

Diamond sipped the cool water.

“Hi, Seldom. This is Diamond,” said Elata.

“I know who he is.” Entering the greeting room, the newcomer giggled and jumped again. “You’re the mystery boy. I’ve heard stories.”

“Be polite,” his mother warned.

Elata patted Diamond on the knee. “Seldom is strange, but in the best ways. And don’t be fooled by how stupid he looks. He really is smart.”