Chapter 124 of All the Colors of the Dark begins with Saint leaving Jimmy, who is asleep on the couch, still wearing her old fur-lined hiking boots. As she walks with her grandmother, Norma, down a frozen Main Street, they pass several colonial homes adorned with vibrant Christmas decorations. Amidst the festive cheer, one store stands out, its window bare except for a new painting that captures Saint’s attention, reflecting her sense of being lost and disconnected from the world around her.

As they continue walking, Sammy appears, dressed in a tuxedo with a loose bow tie. Their conversation is laced with tension, as Sammy asks Saint to leave a particular person alone, probing her knowledge about his whereabouts. She refuses to divulge any information, which hints at deeper relationships and emotional complexities involving individuals like Eloise Strike, Anna May, Summer Reynolds, and Ellen Hernandez. Both characters seem to have connections to these individuals but are unable to help them, suggesting unspoken bonds and unresolved feelings.

Sammy’s mood shifts as he reflects on his painting, suggesting that the focus should not solely be on the boy Saint is searching for. He proposes that they should first concentrate on finding the missing girls and uncovering the people who caused them harm, his tone heavy with the acknowledgment of the pain and loss surrounding their situation. His words resonate with Saint, highlighting the deeper issue of lost lives and the difficulty of moving forward with such unresolved trauma.

Following their conversation, Saint and Norma visit the church, where they stop at Ivy Macauley’s grave. Inside, the atmosphere is somber, and as they light a candle, Saint opens up to her grandmother, revealing her sense of desperation and fear. Despite her inner chaos, Norma offers quiet wisdom about finding strength in silence, reminding Saint that some struggles are meant to be endured privately, without external validation.

As the chapter progresses, Saint’s inner turmoil comes to a head. She confesses to Norma, saying, “I’m pregnant.” This revelation marks a turning point in the narrative, adding a layer of complexity to Saint’s already difficult journey. It intertwines her emotional struggles with the new responsibility she faces, deepening the challenges ahead as she continues her search for truth and resolution in the midst of an ever-growing sense of loss and uncertainty.

The weight of Saint’s confession amplifies the themes of responsibility and emotional complexity that run through this chapter. Her pregnancy introduces a new set of challenges, forcing her to reconsider her priorities and the choices she will make moving forward. The quiet support from Norma offers Saint a brief moment of comfort, but the gravity of the situation is clear, adding another layer of depth to her character’s emotional journey.

Saint’s struggle is not just about finding answers to the mysteries surrounding the missing girls and the men who have hurt them, but also about coming to terms with the personal implications of her own life. Her emotional weight, compounded by the complexities of family, personal loss, and now impending motherhood, is a poignant reflection of the challenges many individuals face when navigating difficult circumstances. This moment of revelation also sets the stage for deeper character development and introspection as Saint must balance the external pressures of her investigations with the internal challenges of her new reality.

Throughout Chapter 124, the theme of loss and unspoken emotional burdens is explored deeply. Sammy’s shifting perspective on what is truly important—focusing on the missing girls and the harm done to them—serves as a reminder of the greater picture. This theme of moving forward in the face of personal struggles resonates throughout Saint’s journey, especially as she grapples with her growing sense of responsibility. As the chapter closes, readers are left with a sense of uncertainty and anticipation about the decisions Saint must make, knowing that her path forward will be fraught with difficult choices and emotional turmoil.