Summary

Chapter 11 is titled “Red Chili.” Tilo waits outside Haroun's apartment. She meets a woman next door named Hameeda who obviously cares for Haroun. Hameeda invites Tilo in. Tilo remains outside, feeling the pain and cold may be atonement for failing to protect Haroun. When he finally arrives, she thinks he is drunk, but he is injured. Hameeda's brother calls Rahman, a man who was a doctor in his country but now owns a gas station and provides medical care for those in need. He stitches up Haroun's head. Tilo remains with him overnight, hating that she failed to keep him safe.

When she returns to the store, the door opens easily. She immediately knows someone has been here. She finds alum on the floor – the spice of messages. When she holds it, she realizes she has been summoned back to the island through...