Chapter 43 Summary, Analysis, and Key Takeaways

⚠️ 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

Alex plunges into what she expects to be another brutal fall, but instead lands in a warm, metallic-smelling sea. She swims toward a distant shore, only to realize the water is blood. When she reaches land, the blood vanishes, and she finds herself standing outside her old apartment building in Los Angeles, holding grocery bags—a jarring return to her pre-Yale life.

Inside, her roommates Len, Betcha, and Cam are absorbed in a video game, while Hellie sits listlessly in a chair. Alex notices a bloody mass near the balcony: her pet rabbit, Babbit Rabbit, has been killed by Betcha's pit bull, Loki. The roommates dismiss it as an accident, but Alex is devastated. She scoops up the remains, takes Len's keys without asking, and drives to Mulholland Drive. There, overlooking the city, she cries and buries the rabbit in a landscaped yard, then experiences a moment of suicidal ideation—imagining lying down on the road—before drifting into a vision.

In this vision, she finds herself in an idealized version of Yale, a perfect, gleaming campus. Dawes, Turner, and Darlington approach, their pilgrim garments transformed: Dawes's robes glow gold, Turner's cloak is woven with copper leaves, and Darlington wears a horned helm. They walk toward a silver palace, and a creature emerges—eight feet tall, with the head of a white rabbit and a crown of fire. He calls himself Anselm and addresses Alex as “Wheelwalker.” He reveals three emaciated demons on golden leashes: Carmichael, Blake, and Hellie. Anselm demands either Darlington's soul or Alex's, claiming Darlington was rightfully claimed by this place.

Darlington offers himself, but Turner and Dawes resist. Anselm taunts Alex, pointing out that she feels more remorse for a dead rabbit than for the men she killed. Alex realizes the Gauntlet was built specifically to bring her here—a beacon, a signal fire—and that a deal was made long ago. Anselm confirms that the only thing a demon loves more than a puzzle is a bargain.

Key Events

Alex falls into a sea of blood and swims to shore, then finds herself outside her old apartment.
She discovers her pet rabbit Babbit Rabbit has been killed by the dog Loki, and her roommates show little concern.
She takes the rabbit's body, drives to Mulholland, and buries it, experiencing a wave of grief and self-blame.
She has a vision of an idealized Yale, where she meets Dawes, Turner, and Darlington in transformed pilgrim attire.
A rabbit-headed demon named Anselm appears, revealing three demons on leashes—Carmichael, Blake, and Hellie—and demands a soul.
Alex learns that the Gauntlet was built to bring her to this place, and that a deal was made in the past.

Character Development

Alex's past life is laid bare in this chapter, revealing the guilt and self-blame that have shaped her. Her reaction to Babbit Rabbit's death—crying alone on Mulholland, blaming herself for bringing the rabbit home—shows a deep-seated belief that nothing good belongs with her. This is compounded by her suicidal thoughts, which she dismisses as a fleeting impulse but which reveal her vulnerability.

Her confrontation with Anselm forces her to confront her own moral compass. Anselm's accusation that she feels more remorse for a rabbit than for the men she killed rings true to Alex, and she does not deny it. This self-awareness, combined with her willingness to sacrifice herself for Darlington, shows a complex character who is both hardened and deeply wounded.

Dawes emerges as a fierce protector, refusing to let Anselm take either Alex or Darlington. Turner's ability to discern truth from lies—he confirms Anselm is not lying—adds weight to the revelation about the Gauntlet. Darlington's readiness to offer his soul underscores his sense of duty and his bond with Alex.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Guilt and Self-Blame: Alex's grief over Babbit Rabbit is intertwined with her belief that she is unworthy of good things. This mirrors her larger guilt about her past actions and her role in the deaths of others.
False Paradise: The idealized Yale is a seductive illusion, a place of peace and plenty that demands no sacrifice. Darlington's warning that “demons feed on joy” reminds the group that this perfection is a trap.
The Demon's Bargain: Anselm's demand for a soul—either Darlington's or Alex's—highlights the theme of sacrifice and negotiation. The revelation that the Gauntlet was built as a beacon to bring Alex here suggests a preordained deal.
Class Divide: Alex's memories of her old apartment, with its cramped spaces and cheap groceries, contrast sharply with the wealth of the demon's palace. This underscores the social stratification that has always been part of her story.
Wheelwalker Identity: Anselm's use of the term “Wheelwalker” ties Alex to a larger cosmic role, one that she is only beginning to understand.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in the novel, as it reveals the true purpose of the Gauntlet and Alex's central role in the demonic bargain. The vision of the false paradise and Anselm's demands raise the stakes, forcing Alex to confront her past and her willingness to sacrifice herself. The chapter also deepens Alex's characterization, showing her vulnerability and guilt, while setting up the climactic confrontation that will determine Darlington's fate.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Alex feel more remorse for Babbit Rabbit than for the men she killed?

Alex's guilt is rooted in her belief that she is fundamentally unworthy of good things. The rabbit represented a small, innocent life that she brought into her chaotic world, and its death feels like a direct consequence of her own selfishness. In contrast, the men she killed were likely enemies or threats, and she has rationalized those actions as necessary. The rabbit's death is a pure loss, untainted by self-defense, making it a sharper reminder of her own moral failings.

What does Anselm mean when he says the Gauntlet was built to bring Alex there?

Anselm reveals that the Gauntlet was not just a trial but a deliberate mechanism—a “bloody beacon” designed to draw Alex specifically. This suggests that Alex's journey through the underworld was orchestrated, and that her role as a Wheelwalker was anticipated. The deal made in the past likely involved Alex's soul or her destiny, and Anselm's claim that he didn't understand her true nature until she took Darlington's soul into her body implies that Alex's actions have fulfilled a prophecy.

How does Dawes's response to Anselm's demand reflect her character growth?

Dawes, who has often been cautious and scholarly, shows fierce loyalty and courage. She cuts through Anselm's rhetoric, declaring that no one stays and that neither Alex nor Darlington will be taken. This moment shows Dawes moving beyond her academic detachment to actively protect her family, demonstrating that her bonds with the group have become her priority. Her willingness to defy a demon underscores her growth from a timid scholar to a resolute ally.