Summary

In Chapter 26, the angry Astrid attempts to convince herself she is glad to see Noa go. Yet, it is then that shouts of fire begin, and Astrid sees flames breaking out along the bleachers and elsewhere. Astrid becomes trapped on the trapeze. Noa rushes to find a way to save her. By taking to the trapeze, Noa is able to catch Astrid and fling her to safety. With Theo in her arms, Astrid rushes to safety as the tent collapses in flames. But Noa cannot be seen.

In Chapter 27, Astrid finds and pulls Noa from the wreckage of the tent. Noa is badly injured, and is dying. She urges Astrid to take Theo and to leave. She tells Astrid that Luc never came to meet her as planned. Astrid says something must have happened, that this cannot be right. Astrid reassures Noa, telling...