“They probably want to practice,” Rosa said. “How’s my mom?”

Nell’s voice softened. “She’s been like this. Perked up and grinned just as soon as the ghosts came rolling home. But not a word from her.”

“She doesn’t have any words,” Rosa said. “She doesn’t have a voice. But I just returned it to the library, so I think we can find it there.”

Mom turned right around and walked away.

Rosa and Jasper went after her.

Nell followed in their wake, even though she grumbled about how much she did not want to chase them through whatever fresh mess they might create next.

Athena Díaz led them all through the festival and its parking lot. She left their family car behind, which was probably for the best. Rosa could hear haunted things happening inside its engine.

The small procession made its way into town, into the very center of the broken circle that surrounded Ingot.