Chapter XXII takes a deep dive into the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the characters as they unknowingly embark on a journey, trapped in a web of deception and difficult decisions. After sneaking aboard Lester’s bus, they thought they would be heading directly to Salina, but the group soon realizes that they are heading into the unknown, unsure of what awaits them. Lill, one of their companions, reacts with an uncomfortable silence, which only adds to the tension as they all try to understand the magnitude of their situation. While the children try to process the events unfolding, Bobbi’s tattoo ominously repeating, “We’re dead,” reflects the doom they feel, reminding them of the gravity of what’s at stake. As the moment drags on, they express their fears aloud, unsure of what will happen next and the impact of their decisions.

Lill, unable to keep the resignation from her voice, starts reflecting on the toll this journey has taken on her, mentioning how she has already lost so much, including her job and car. As the group grapples with the uncertainty, Lill steps into a leadership role, deciding that the best course of action is to head east toward Lincoln and find a motel to spend the night. She knows the importance of keeping the children safe, so she also plans to call their parents to reassure them. However, the narrator feels a deep weight of responsibility, unsure if reaching Poppa will need to be put on hold until the morning. Though they all know it’s necessary, the children are left to consider the impact of waiting, caught between a need for safety and the desire to take action right away.

As the group settles into their new plan, Lill and the children solidify their alliance, making a promise to each other to make a call home once they find a safe haven. While Lill counts her cash, the children quickly come to realize that there will be enough money to secure motel rooms, which Lester agrees to arrange. Despite his reluctance to share a room with them, Lester takes Lill’s cash and arranges accommodations at the “Lincoln Sleepy 10,” a small, somewhat secluded motel that will provide them with some much-needed privacy. For the children, it’s a relief to have a roof over their heads for the night, though there’s still a lingering unease due to the recent developments and the looming fear of being discovered. The group tries to settle into a sense of normalcy, but with each step forward, the tension in the air grows.

Arriving at the motel, the group finds comfort in the fact that it’s nearly empty, offering them the peace and quiet they desperately need. Yet, the narrator can’t shake the fear that their secret may be exposed. The knowledge that their faces were shown on TV as missing children heightens their anxiety, and the uncertainty of what will happen if they are found out looms large. They briefly discuss the possibility that Lester may abandon them, but his reassurance that he won’t leave them eases some of their concerns. Still, the weight of their choices is felt by all, and the question of what comes next remains unanswered.

As the group heads up to the second floor, Fish notices the closed swimming pool, which for a moment symbolizes childhood freedom and all the things they’ve been missing out on. Yet, the feeling is bittersweet, as the complexities of their current situation cloud any thoughts of carefree enjoyment. Lill, focused on keeping the group moving forward, commands them to stay on task, yet the narrator takes a moment to confide in Bobbi and Fish. She shares their plan to avoid calling home, a decision meant to protect their secrecy and avoid unnecessary complications. This quiet exchange between the three adds a layer of intimacy and suspense to the narrative, showing how they are working together to protect each other and manage the consequences of their actions. The chapter ends with a quiet but palpable sense of tension, as the group walks a fine line between their desires and the reality of the consequences they’re trying to avoid.