Chapter Four Summary and Analysis

The new year arrives and it's discovered that Rowe has been retaining fluids, causing him to look as if he hadn't lost as much weight as Dan. Over the coming days, medicine is given that helps him slough it off though at a terrible physical toll and he suddenly looks emaciated, just like Dan. Then there's a new American prisoner, a man named Dave Davila who has shrapnel in his legs. Davila is refusing to allow Ben to look at his wounds until Rowe tells him that it's the best thing. Muoi is on hand but cannot understand English so can't tell what the two are saying.

One day, the camp is shelled and Rowe finds himself running for his life. He notes that it's frustrating to be so near a rescue and yet unable to flag them down...