Summary

In Chapter 52, Libby wakes after three weeks of sleep. She tells the story of the singular dream she had in past tense. It featured her mother, with her and Sara at the beach. Libby describes what she wore, things she said. But Sara does not remember this, and Libby is convinced it was real. Thomas begins to worry other apocalyptic dreams he had will also come true, and redoubles his preparation for those scenarios.

In Chapter 53, Rebecca is ten weeks pregnant. Nathaniel wakes up in a medical tent after three weeks of sleep—"a mild case” (279). He comes home to the aftermath of the flood he was found in. Nathaniel finds Henry back in the nursing home, and the doctors do not seem surprised. Nathaniel is flooded with doubt about whether he merely dreamed Henry back, though he insists it felt real. He...