Summary

Book One, Chapter 4, II – Ailinn has difficulty adjusting to waking beside Kevern each morning, especially because of her bad dreams about leaving the orphanage. Kevern does his best to make Ailinn happy during the days. Ailinn explains that her favorite book is Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick” because she identifies with the whale being hunted by men. It reminds Kevern of the social experiment undertaken by society to restore stability called “OPERATION ISHMAEL.” Ailinn explains she feels most comfortable with Kevern, but it is dangerous because it takes her off guard. Since childhood, she has always felt as if something was coming for her, she further explains.

Book One, Chapter 4, III – Kevern wonders how the village will react to him dating a much younger girl, but no one cares. The murders of Lowenna Morgenstern and Ythel Weinstock have taken the village’s attention...