"Usually the people I meet here already know about it," says Johnny, raising an eyebrow at him. "It's kind of the reason these things happen, you know? Also we were sort of busy."

Something cracks in the woods, muffled and distant, and Nova stiffens, stretching her ears out to listen. Johnny manages not to lose his composure. He doesn't feel up to running again just yet.

"You being here might mean you're gonna come through soon, I guess," he continues, "or it might not. You might forget the whole thing, I guess. I don't know."