"S'fine," Sparkle promised. "If I take off to Baltimore, I've probably got a place."

Which was to say, if, for any reason, Hannibal turned him away at the door? He was still a street kid. He'd cope. He gave Alec a reassuring smile, and then shrugged.

"Either way, let's get out of the street for now, yeah? If they have friends, I don't wanna meet 'em."