Chapter 23: What It Is to Swim — Summary & Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens with Reid reacting instantly to Lou hitting the water. He doesn't pause to unlace his boots or unfasten his coat; he's already ankle-deep, ready to follow her. But a low growl stops him. Turning, he sees the white-furred dog with amber eyes, its hackles raised and teeth bared, pacing along the path. The dog seems to be trying to communicate something—it whines, shakes its head, and stares at Reid as if it wants him to understand. Reid draws a knife and warns it not to come closer. Coco, who is hastily removing her own boots, tells him to leave the dog alone, but Reid is unsettled. He notes that every time something catastrophic happens to them, that dog is present, and he calls it an ill omen.
Before Coco can finish her retort, both of them freeze. They scent something sharp yet sweet on the breeze—magic that belongs to neither of them. The realization that someone else's magic is at work hangs in the air. Then Célie's scream splits the night. The dog's ears prick forward, but instead of turning toward the scream, it stares fixedly at a point in the water. Reid is torn, rooted in fear, and doesn't move fast enough to block the dog. With preternatural speed, the dog careens past him and dives straight into the heart of the Wistful Waters. The decision comes easily then: Reid dives in after it.
Key Events
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Reid sees Lou hit the water and moves to follow without removing his boots or coat.
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The white-furred dog appears, growling and pacing, and Reid draws a knife, calling it an ill omen.
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Coco tells Reid to leave the dog, but both of them scent a strange, sweet magic that isn't theirs.
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Célie screams, but the dog ignores the sound and stares at a specific point in the water.
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The dog dashes past Reid with unnatural speed and plunges into the Wistful Waters.
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Reid dives in after the dog, making a split-second decision to follow.
Character Development
Reid's actions in this chapter reveal a man caught between caution and instinct. His immediate reaction to Lou's fall is pure impulse—he doesn't think about his boots or coat, just moves. But the dog's appearance triggers a different side of him: suspicion and fear. He calls the dog an ill omen, linking it to past catastrophes, and his instinct is to keep it at a distance. Yet when the dog dives into the water, Reid's fear shifts. He hesitates for a moment, rooted in indecision, but then the choice becomes clear. He follows the dog, trusting it enough to dive into the same water. This shows a willingness to set aside his superstitions when action is needed.
Coco, meanwhile, is practical and focused. She tells Reid to leave the dog and continues preparing to enter the water herself. Her priority is Lou's safety, not the dog's symbolism. Her presence grounds the scene, contrasting Reid's more superstitious nature.
The dog itself remains enigmatic. It doesn't respond to Célie's scream, instead staring at the water as if it knows exactly where to go. Its preternatural speed and purposeful dive suggest it's more than an ordinary animal—perhaps a guide or a warning. Reid's decision to follow it hints at a growing trust in the unknown.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
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Ill Omen vs. Instinct: Reid labels the dog an ill omen, but its behavior suggests it might be trying to help. The chapter plays with the tension between superstition and trust in one's gut.
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The Wistful Waters: The water is a symbol of danger and the unknown. Both the dog and Reid dive into it, suggesting a leap of faith.
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Magic: The scent of foreign magic introduces an external threat, reminding readers that the characters are not alone in their struggle.
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Rescue and Sacrifice: Reid's decision to dive after the dog, even after calling it an omen, shows a willingness to risk himself for others—or for the chance to save Lou.
Why This Chapter Matters
This short but intense chapter sets up the rescue of Lou and raises the stakes. It introduces the dog as a recurring figure whose actions seem purposeful, and it deepens Reid's character by showing his internal conflict between fear and duty. The foreign magic and Célie's scream hint at larger dangers, while Reid's dive into the Wistful Waters marks a turning point in his willingness to trust the inexplicable. The chapter also reinforces the theme of acting on instinct when reason fails.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Reid call the dog an ill omen, and how does his attitude toward it change by the end of the chapter?
Reid calls the dog an ill omen because it has been present during past catastrophes, and its sudden appearance makes him uneasy. He draws a knife and warns it away. However, when the dog dives into the water, Reid hesitates but then follows it, showing that he's willing to set aside his superstition when action is needed. His decision to dive after the dog suggests a shift from fear to trust.
2. What does the dog's behavior—ignoring Célie's scream and staring at the water—suggest about its role?
The dog's behavior suggests it is not an ordinary animal. Instead of reacting to the scream, it focuses on a specific point in the water, as if it knows where Lou is or where the danger lies. Its preternatural speed and purposeful dive imply it might be a guide or a supernatural creature, leading Reid to the right place.
3. How does the scent of foreign magic affect Reid and Coco's actions in this chapter?
The scent of magic that belongs to neither of them freezes both Reid and Coco. It signals that someone else is involved, and it likely explains Célie's scream. This moment of realization heightens the tension and makes Reid's subsequent dive more urgent, as he understands that the situation is more complex than a simple drowning.