Summary

Chapter 1 begins with Nat and Ruth launching themselves into Mr. Bell’s car in their escape from Zeke and his followers. Ceph appears from the forest surrounding Zeke’s home, but they do not stop for him despite the fact that he is chasing the car to get inside. The three of them drive to a town outside of Bethlehem, close to a meteor-landing site. They stay in a motel for the night. The motel is small but clean and has a large neon hula dancer light out front. In the morning at the motel diner, Mr. Bell admits to Ruth that he is not a good person and that he has made many mistakes in his lifetime. Meanwhile, Nat is still in the room showering.

In Chapter 2, readers are back in Cora’s mind on a walking journey with Ruth. The two stop...