Chapter 2 Summary

Nyle continues with her chore of unloading the wood carrier despite her unanswered calls to Gran. Not only are Nyle's calls to Gran unanswered, but the calls to their dog Caleb and cat Bayley also go unanswered. The usual snack left out for Nyle is nowhere to be seen. These revelations combine with the closed back curtain create an uneasy feeling in Nyle. Eventually, Caleb comes out from the long hallway and greets Nyle. Nyle scratches him, and then Caleb turns and returns to the back bedroom. Finally, Gran appears quietly behind Nyle. Gran tells Nyle that they are housing the evacuees that the two of them discussed just days before. Although Nyle and Gran had jointly decided not to bring them home, Gran did just that earlier in the day.

Nyle takes refuge in her room with Bayley cuddled in her lap...