Chapter 226 of All the Colors of the Dark introduces Patch in a moment of quiet solitude, a hundred miles south of his previous location. From his vantage point on a bluff, he looks out over the Mississippi River as it curves and twists, creating an oxbow. He’s meticulously kept himself looking clean and composed, with his hair cropped short and his face freshly shaven. The blue leather satchel beside him contains all the essentials: clothes, money, and supplies that he had scavenged from Cooper’s car, which he later discarded in a secluded, remote spot. Despite the warm, oppressive sun, Patch keeps his ball cap pulled low, concealing much of his face. The eye patch, however, remains in his pocket; instead, he wears dark sunglasses, seeking some relief from the blinding light. As he strolls along the riverbank, the changing colors of the sky at sunset captivate him. The once bold hues of the river’s surface gradually shift, creating abstract patterns that seem to blend seamlessly into the sky. The beauty of the scene is almost overwhelming, and for a moment, Patch longs for the artistic ability to capture it on canvas, as if the fleeting image could be preserved forever in a painting.

The quiet peace of the moment contrasts sharply with the urgency of Patch’s journey. As the evening draws in, he seeks cover in a secluded copse, finding shelter among the sedges. Using his satchel as a makeshift pillow, he rests on the cool ground, his mind focused on the upcoming journey that awaits him. With dawn approaching, the checkpoints in the area will shift, signaling the next step in his journey toward Tennessee. This moment of stillness and contemplation is more than just a physical pause—it marks an emotional turning point for Patch. Crossing into Tennessee isn’t merely a geographical shift; it’s the final stretch of his journey toward a deeper personal goal. For Patch, this movement toward Tennessee represents a step closer to the woman he longs to reunite with, someone he holds dear and who has been the source of his determination throughout this turbulent journey. As the night begins to settle, the anticipation grows, and the urgency within him intensifies, matching the restless current of the river below.

Patch lies alone in the copse, feeling the weight of his thoughts as the world around him quiets. In this brief moment of solitude, his mind drifts back to the person waiting for him, the one who has been the driving force behind his every decision and move. The stillness around him, the gently flowing river, and the fading light serve as a backdrop for his internal reflection. The landscape itself becomes a metaphor for his emotional journey. Just as the river twists and winds its way through the land, so too has Patch’s journey been long and uncertain, filled with unexpected turns. The solitude offers him a brief moment of peace, but it is clear that this is only temporary—his path is leading him forward, toward a future that is as uncertain as the river’s winding course. The quiet of the night brings a fleeting sense of calm, but it is undercut by the ever-present urgency of his goal. The peaceful stillness of nature is in stark contrast to the emotional and physical journey that Patch is about to embark upon, highlighting the dual nature of his existence—one of quiet reflection and the other of constant movement toward a final, uncertain destination. This juxtaposition of inner peace and outward urgency mirrors the internal conflict Patch feels—longing for connection, yet knowing that the road ahead will require sacrifices and determination to reach the place where he truly belongs.

As the day fades into night, the tension between Patch’s desire for calm and the pressure of his journey intensifies. The stillness of the river becomes a symbol of his own inner turmoil, each ripple on its surface mirroring the thoughts racing through his mind. The anticipation of crossing into Tennessee brings with it both a sense of relief and a growing anxiety. He knows that once he crosses this threshold, the uncertainty of what lies ahead will be replaced by something far more personal. The journey toward Tennessee is more than just a physical relocation; it represents the culmination of his emotional journey, the closing of one chapter and the opening of another. Patch’s heart beats with anticipation, not just for the geographical shift, but for the reunion he hopes to experience. His thoughts continue to revolve around the woman waiting for him, and though he feels a deep sense of determination, there’s also a sense of fear—fear of what might come once he arrives, and fear of what he might have to leave behind. But despite the fear, the pull of this reunion remains undeniable, and Patch is determined to see it through, no matter the obstacles that lie in his path.

As Patch prepares himself for the long night ahead, the weight of his journey becomes all the more evident. The Mississippi River, calm yet constant, serves as both a companion and a reminder of the passage of time. It is a force that moves relentlessly forward, much like Patch’s own journey. Each passing hour brings him closer to his destination, but it also brings with it the weight of all that has transpired along the way. The sense of hope that fills him as he stares out at the river is tempered by the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Patch’s journey is far from over, but with each step, he moves closer to the resolution of his inner conflict. The landscape, with its beauty and stillness, offers a moment of respite in the chaos of his life, yet it also serves as a reminder of the journey yet to be completed. The tension between peace and urgency, rest and movement, defines Patch’s experience in this chapter, capturing the complexity of his emotional and physical journey as he prepares for the next phase of his path toward Tennessee.