Summary

Chapter 12 shifts ahead several years, to the day before Paul’s disappearance. Peter and Paul are 13 years old. At night, several men enter Clyde’s house. They are armed with cutlasses and a gun, and they threaten the family while searching the house for valuables. They tell the family to sit down on the ground together and not move. They comply, except for Paul, who stands up and confronts the robbers. Paul dares them to shoot him. Fortunately, they do not shoot him. They leave with the family’s television and with Joy’s jewelry. Clyde then furiously reprimands Paul for foolishly risking his life.

Chapter 13 opens on the day of Paul’s disappearance. Instead of going to school, Paul decides to wander around the village on his own. He is very frustrated with his life. He has continued to struggle in school. He...