If These Wings Could Fly
Chapter Seventy-Two
by McCauley, KyrieIn Chapter Seventy-Two, tension escalates rapidly as the protagonist, urged by their mother, confronts a perilous situation involving Leighton, who is still holding a gun and appears trapped without his keys. The urgency to escape is complicated by the presence of smoke and fire originating from the protagonist’s room, threatening the safety of the girls, Campbell and Juniper. The scene conveys a sense of exhaustion and disbelief as the protagonist crawls upstairs, symbolizing the overwhelming pressure of the moment and the fragile passage of time amid chaos.
Upon entering the burning room, the protagonist discovers the lantern spilled and flames spreading to the curtains and quilt, with smoke filling the space. The girls are trapped inside a locked armoire, their distress palpable through coughing and sobbing. Desperation mounts as the protagonist’s fingers bleed from frantic attempts to open the door, until a rusted key, previously thought lost, is retrieved and used to free them. The girls emerge physically unharmed but emotionally shaken, while the protagonist’s bloodied hands reflect the damage inflicted on the home itself.
The danger intensifies as the locked door is repeatedly slammed, signaling the presence of an intruder and trapping the group inside the smoke-filled room. Forced to flee onto the roof, the family navigates through billowing smoke and fire, with the threat of the intruder looming. The protagonist senses an instinctual call to move higher, driven by fear and an almost supernatural awareness. A chaos of crows descends, driving the intruder back into the burning house and symbolizing a protective force that temporarily contains the danger.
As the group reaches the highest point of the house, they face a new menace—a shadowy figure embodying rage and destruction, advancing through the smoke. Despite the imminent threat, the girls remain calm, their focus drawn to the approaching crows rather than the shadow. This moment highlights a juxtaposition of fear and serenity, with the crows arriving as a beacon of hope and protection amid the engulfing fire and chaos. The chapter closes on this tense but hopeful note, emphasizing resilience and the mysterious forces at play in the family’s struggle for survival.
FAQs
1. What immediate danger do the characters face at the beginning of the chapter, and how does it influence their actions?
Answer:
At the beginning of the chapter, the characters face the immediate danger of a fire breaking out in the protagonist’s room, caused by a spilled lantern catching the curtains and quilt on fire. This threat drives urgent action: Mom lifts the protagonist to their feet and urges Leighton to leave, highlighting the necessity to escape quickly. The fire’s smoke and flames create a life-threatening environment that forces the family to prioritize rescuing the girls trapped inside the locked armoire. The escalating fire intensifies the sense of panic and urgency, shaping the characters’ decisions to flee upward to the roof for safety.2. How does the locked armoire function symbolically in this chapter, and what does its unlocking represent?
Answer:
The locked armoire symbolizes confinement and danger, as it physically traps Campbell and Juniper within the burning room, reflecting how the characters are emotionally and situationally trapped by their circumstances. The fact that the armoire is locked and hot to the touch signifies the immediacy and severity of the threat. Unlocking the armoire with the rusted key—an heirloom from the grandfather—represents hope, rescue, and connection to the past. It also symbolizes the protagonist’s agency and determination to save the girls, turning a previously lost or forgotten object into a tool for liberation amid crisis.3. Analyze the role of the crows in the chapter. What do they represent, and how do they affect the antagonist’s movements?
Answer:
The crows serve as a protective and almost supernatural force that intervenes to prevent the antagonist from escaping the burning house. They represent nature’s or fate’s defense mechanism, driving the antagonist back into the house and making it impossible for him to leave. Their aggressive cawing and diving create a barrier of chaos and distraction, symbolizing collective resistance against evil or harm. The crows’ presence shifts the power dynamic, protecting the protagonist and her family from immediate physical danger posed by the antagonist, and adding a mystical or symbolic layer to the narrative’s tension.4. How does the chapter explore the theme of fear and courage through the protagonist’s experiences?
Answer:
The chapter vividly portrays fear through the protagonist’s physical and emotional responses—coughing from smoke, panic when the girls are trapped, and the terror of being cornered by a shadow of rage. Despite this, courage emerges as the protagonist perseveres: crawling up stairs despite exhaustion, fighting to free the girls from the locked armoire, and leading the group onto the roof despite the encroaching smoke and danger. The protagonist’s grip on the girls’ hands and the calmness of the children amid chaos underscore a resilient bravery that contrasts with the destructive rage embodied by the antagonist’s shadow. This tension between fear and courage highlights the protagonist’s growth and determination to protect her family.5. Considering the chapter’s ending, what might the arrival of the crows signify for the protagonist’s future challenges?
Answer:
The arrival of the crows at the chapter’s end likely signifies a turning point or protective intervention in the protagonist’s ongoing struggles. Since the crows have already driven the antagonist back into the house, their presence suggests that external forces—whether natural, mystical, or symbolic—are aligning with the protagonist to confront and contain the threats she faces. This could imply that future challenges will continue to be intense and dangerous but that the protagonist will have unexpected allies or resources. The crows’ calm influence on the children also hints at a possible balance between chaos and order, signaling hope amid adversity.
Quotes
1. “Forever can exist in a moment. In the crack of a firework. The pull of a trigger.”
This quote captures the chapter’s intense emotional tempo, emphasizing how a single instant can feel eternal—highlighting the gravity of the unfolding crisis and the protagonist’s acute awareness of time and danger.
2. “The doors swing open, and the girls fall out. Their skin is hot to the touch. Shiny tracks of tears mark their flushed cheeks.”
This moment reveals the vulnerability and peril faced by the children, symbolizing both physical danger and emotional trauma. It underscores the urgency and stakes within the chapter’s central rescue scene.
3. “We can’t put it out,” she says, coughing through every word. “We have to go.””
A pivotal turning point, this quote conveys the acceptance of an uncontrollable situation and the necessity of escape over resistance, reflecting themes of survival and sacrifice.
4. “A chaos of crows descend, and they drive him back… They force him into the house.”
This passage introduces a powerful, almost supernatural intervention that shifts the balance of power. The crows symbolize protection and collective defense, contrasting with the antagonist’s rage and violence.
5. “But when I look from side to side, their eyes aren’t on the figure in the smoke. All three are calm, looking straight ahead… The crows are coming.”
Ending the chapter on a note of calm resolve and hope, this quote highlights trust in unseen forces and the promise of rescue, encapsulating the chapter’s themes of fear, protection, and impending salvation.