Essun walks southward until nightfall, assuming Jija would have traveled that way once he realized the shake originated in the north. The people she passes are slowly beginning to realize the seriousness of the situation:

“[T]o be outside of a community’s gates at a time like this is—in the long run—a death sentence, except for a handful who are willing to become brutal enough or depraved enough to do what they must” (79).

After settling down in the shelter of a hill, Essun senses a presence and opens her eyes to see a boy covered in dirt sitting nearby. He greets her and tells her his name is Hoa; he doesn’t offer a comm or use name, which surprises Essun. Although wary, she agrees to let him sleep next to her when he explains that he’s alone: “I saw some other people by the road, but I didn’t like them. I hid from them […] I like you” (82). Nevertheless, Essun plans to send Hoa away in the morning.

Damaya spends the first few days of the journey marveling at the comms and landscapes she and Schaffa pass. She’s also surprised to hear Schaffa moaning in his sleep their first night on the road; when she asks about the noise, he says he was snoring.