Summary

In Chapter 4, "Lucia," Lucia visits her psychiatrist, measuring every word she says. He refills her prescription.

Later Lucia recalls the onset of her most recent episode. She pins its catalyst on the two serpents in her mind, who tell her terrifying things about herself. They tell her if she touches Essy she will die.

Eight months later, post hospital release, Lucia begins attending a mother's group, where she befriends Nipa. They grow close. Lucia thinks again about the serpents, how they controlled her responses to light and sound. She grew afraid spies were watching her, planning to steal Essy. After her hospitalization, she continued believing the doctors had cameras on her. She hated the medication for its numbness. She regrets all she missed of Essy during those 40 days.

At home, she felt something missing. Over the months her doctors alter her drug cocktail. Finally...