Summary

Chapters 19 is titled “Back.” The Dark Messenger picks up its weapon. The Dark Messenger says it does not have the right to take revenge against Yehuda Leib, though it wants to. He says Bluma and Yehuda Leib have to leave but warns they cannot leave through the door. The Dark Messenger refuses to give then instructions. Bluma opens a window. The Dark Messenger says they have seen its face, “And therefore every forward step you take from now until we meet again will carry you in one direction only further toward me” (334). Bluma decides they have to walk back, though the exact direction does not matter. They walk blindly backwards. The Dark Messenger watches from the window. The Dark Messenger has learned from this experience. The moment Yehuda Leib held the knife to its throat, it finally understood the reason people begged when...