Jenny couldn't forget Julian. She saw pairs of blue eyes watching her from all the shadows. They didn't scare her, they were comforting. He was looking after her. She touched the chain around her neck, sparks flew through her fingers. She was safe – while Julian was looking after her, nothing could get at her.

But five days passes so quickly especially when you're happy. And Jenny was happy. She was happy to be back with her family. And she didn't realise as the countdown to Julian's imminent return ticked on slowly.

She and Zach were playing in the park – hide and seek. Zach was counting.

"13-14-15."

Jenny scrambled up a tree, scraping her bare shins on the bark, leaves in her golden hair, engulfing herself in the canopy of green, hidden from sight to the people down below.

"Hello Jenny," said a cool, almost icy voice. Jenny looked up into a ghostly pale face. Julian looked even paler than the last time she had seen him, his eyes even bluer – a shocking contrast. Full of colour.

"Julian!" Jenny smiled, "Has it been 5 days already?"

"Keep your voice down. Yes, it's time. Are you ready to go?"

"Can I say goodbye to Zach?"

"Sorry, there's no time. We have to go, now."

"But…"

"No buts. Come on, they're already out hunting for you."

"You mean they're still there?" Jenny's face looked shocked. Julian was surprised, he hadn't realised she might have thought they'd gone.

"Yes. They've been counting down they're week. Now they're going to come and get you."

Jenny suddenly looked scared. A tear ran down her cheek.

"But I'll keep you safe. I'll protect you." Julian said, hurriedly. It would not be easy for a guy looking as old and as strange as him to get back to the shadow world with a crying and probably protesting 4-year-old. Humans notice this sort of thing. "Are you still wearing the necklace?"

Jenny nodded, touching her chest. She sniffed, rubbed her eyes, and blinked. Julian grabbed her wrist, and tried not to notice the little shock it sent through his arm. When she's older, he thought, but not now…

"Come on," he grunted, pulling her down out of the tree. Zach had finished counting.

"Jenny! Where are you going? Come back!" He called, worriedly.

"Don't worry Zach!" Jenny shouted as Julian pulled her along. "I'll be safe. It's Julian."

Julian bit his lip, and tightened his grip on her wrist. He pulled her down an alley that smelled of urine and alcohol. The pound was covered in dirty puddles. He pushed Jenny into a big puddle, and watched as she disappeared from sight, then followed her in. He felt the cool iciness encase him as he re-entered the shadow world.

Jenny landed on the deep velvet sofa, and watched as Julian appeared opposite her.

"Now what?" Jenny asked.

Julian sighed, and ran his fingers through his hair. It was time to make the decision. And he wasn't ready. He wasn't ready for this choice.

"We wait."