Chapter 13 sees Saint observing the search efforts for a missing boy from the side of a truck. The search party, led by Chuck Bradley and his friends, laughs dismissively about the situation, suggesting that the boy’s chances of survival have already been lost after being gone for over twenty-four hours. The tone of their laughter, however, feels unnatural and disconnected, adding to the overall tension in the scene. Chuck further complicates matters with a harsh comment about Saint’s relationship with the boy, which cuts through the air like a knife. This remark, in particular, amplifies Saint’s sense of isolation, as it serves as a painful reminder of how her involvement in the situation is perceived by others.

The atmosphere changes when Dr. Tooms, wearing a sport jacket and a mask of benevolence, arrives. He reassures Saint about the blood found at the scene, telling her that it might not be as dangerous as it appears. Although his words are intended to ease her fears, Saint can’t help but feel uneasy about his manner, sensing an underlying discomfort that complicates his reassurance. The scene takes on a new level of intensity when Chief Nix approaches, kneels beside her, and comforts her with a mix of strength and vulnerability, his scent a reminder of their shared history. Nix encourages her to hold on to hope and presses her to believe that they are doing everything possible to find the boy. Saint’s emotions bubble over as she asks them to bring the boy back, and Nix, speaking with a hint of ambiguity, suggests that the boy’s disappearance could have been the result of his efforts to protect someone—a complex twist that heightens the mystery.

As the conversation shifts, Sammy from Monta Clare Fine Art joins in with an inquiry about another missing girl, a further complication to the already overwhelming situation. The disruption in their dialogue signals a turning point when a woman in the crowd raises her hand, signaling that something significant has been discovered. Nix attempts to restrain Saint, but her emotions get the best of her, and she sprints toward the source of the disturbance. Her heart drops as she watches Nix pull out a small cloth, its purple and silver star clearly marking it as a belonging of the missing boy. This discovery intensifies the sense of tragedy, transforming the search from a hopeful mission to one filled with the grim reality of loss.

The following days are filled with relentless searching as Saint becomes more consumed by the task. She pushes local children to help with the search, their participation adding a sense of community urgency to the effort. The landscape around them—a blend of dogwoods, thick woods, and the natural environment—becomes symbolic of the emotional journey they are all on, as they march forward with little hope left. As the search stretches on, Saint finds herself unable to sleep, her mind consumed by the haunting uncertainty of the boy’s fate. Each day that passes makes it harder to maintain hope, and the growing realization that they may never find him eats away at her resolve. The sense of community becomes more palpable, but so does the creeping despair that threads through their collective effort. Each second that ticks by feels like a shared loss of spirit, as they edge closer to the painful truth of what might have happened.

This chapter explores more than just the physical search—it delves into the emotional toll of a missing child on a small community. Saint’s persistence highlights the impact of a deep-rooted connection to others, even when that connection is fraught with complications and unspoken truths. As the characters navigate their emotions—grief, hope, frustration, and fear—the reader feels the weight of each passing day in the search for a lost boy. This process transforms Saint, altering her understanding of community, loss, and what it means to keep going when the odds are overwhelmingly against them. Through this journey, the story explores the fragility of human spirit when confronted with the darker realities of life, particularly when faced with uncertainty, loss, and the struggle to keep hope alive.