Chapter 2 Summary

As Yoko and her family make their ways to the train station, they hear the sound of marching feet and hide among wild irises. Yoko becomes sick and throws up, nearly revealing their hiding place. The soldiers march on by.

The family makes it to the train station, which is crowded with the sick and wounded. After having some difficulty with the stationmaster, they board a crowded boxcar near a woman with a baby and another pregnant woman. While riding the train, the woman's baby dies, as do several of the other passengers. The pregnant woman gives birth.

While stopped to take on coal and water, Korean Communists search the train for Japanese. A medic and nurse disguise the family as very sick people and tell the Korean Communists that Mother has small pox. The soldiers quickly leave the boxcar. Farther along, planes...