Chapter 5 of All the Colors of the Dark begins by introducing the parallel morning routines of two central characters, Saint and Patch. As the first light of dawn stretches across the sky, Saint quietly awakens in the early hours of the morning, eager to begin her day. She slips out of her room and makes her way to the rear porch, hoping to enjoy a moment of peace before the world fully stirs. The soft sound of birds chirping in the distance is the only noise that fills the air as she stands in solitude, observing the tranquil surroundings. Several streets away, Patch begins her day in a similar manner. She watches the sun rise over the horizon, casting golden hues across the misty grass. The mist appears almost ethereal, rising from the ground like smoke, adding an air of mystery to the scene. As she contemplates the beauty around her, a strange, unsettling silence fills the air, which catches her attention. Uncertain of its source, she feels compelled to venture barefoot across the damp yard to investigate. Her journey leads her to the beehive, only to discover that the bees, which she has cared for with great attention, have inexplicably vanished.

Meanwhile, Saint, having already ventured outside, is gripped with an increasing sense of urgency. She rushes up the stairs to her grandmother, Norma, to inform her about the mysterious disappearance of the bees. Saint, clearly out of breath, insists that someone must have stolen them, and her words tumble out in a rush. Norma, who seems less alarmed, calmly observes that Saint is not wearing her glasses, suggesting that perhaps the bees are still in the hive, hidden from view. Saint, refusing to consider that possibility, dashes back to her attic bedroom to retrieve her glasses. While there, she hurriedly brushes her teeth with her finger, a consequence of a mishap involving a dog fossil earlier that morning. Despite the inconvenience, she hurries back outside to find Norma inspecting the empty hive, further confirming that the bees are indeed missing. Saint feels the weight of the situation pressing on her chest, her concern deepening as she tries to make sense of what happened.

Norma, ever the calm and practical figure, offers logical explanations for the absence of the bees. Perhaps ants had attacked the hive, or a skunk had disturbed the bees during the night. But Saint’s mounting anxiety refuses to be quelled by such simple answers. She believes that after four years of tending to the bees, they must have developed some kind of bond with her. The idea that the bees could simply vanish without any clear reason does not sit well with her. As they continue to ponder the situation, Norma casually mentions a recent news story about a beekeeper from Wayne County who was arrested for stealing hives. This mention strikes a chord in Saint, and her suspicion quickly shifts to a local man, Mr. Lewis. She accuses him outright, recalling his past behavior when he was caught taking samples from stores without paying for them. The memory of his past actions makes her increasingly certain that he is the one responsible for stealing the bees.

Saint’s anger intensifies as she considers the implications of what she believes to be a theft. She cannot understand why Mr. Lewis would take the bees, but her frustration grows as she recalls his history of petty theft. Despite Norma’s calm attempts to diffuse the situation, Saint’s emotions spill over. She demands that they do something, that they take action. In her mind, the only logical step is to report Mr. Lewis to Chief Nix, believing that he will take her seriously and investigate the matter. However, Norma strongly objects to this idea, urging Saint to stop and think before taking such drastic steps. She warns her that going to the police without proper evidence could cause unnecessary trouble and escalate the situation further.

In the heat of the argument, Saint, unable to control her emotions, storms off, leaving Norma standing behind with a mix of worry and disappointment. The exchange between them leaves a mark on both of their hearts. Saint is filled with a sense of injustice and anger, while Norma is left with the sinking feeling that her granddaughter’s impulsive behavior could lead to serious consequences. The tension between them is palpable, and it’s clear that Saint’s frustration with the situation is more than just about the missing bees. It represents her deeper feelings of helplessness and the struggle to make sense of the world around her, especially when it feels like people she knows and trusts could be involved in something wrong.

The chapter concludes with a sense of unresolved tension, setting the stage for the emotional journey Saint must now navigate. As she walks away from her grandmother, the uncertainty of what has happened with the bees weighs heavily on her mind. She can’t shake the feeling that something is off about Mr. Lewis and that there is more to the story than meets the eye. The chapter leaves readers questioning what will happen next, as the dynamics between Saint, Norma, and the rest of the community become increasingly complex. What began as a seemingly simple mystery—one about missing bees—has opened a larger can of worms, revealing deeper conflicts and emotions that will continue to unfold in the chapters to come. Through this chapter, the reader is drawn into a story filled with intrigue, family dynamics, and the emotional turmoil of a young girl trying to find her place in a world that feels increasingly unpredictable and unfair.