Chapter 14 Summary, Analysis, and Study Notes

⚠️ 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

That evening, Adrian visits Mallory at the cottage, and together they lay out all nine of Teddy’s drawings—three from the porch, three from the refrigerator, and three collected from his bedroom. Adrian shuffles through them, searching for a sequence that might reveal a story, but Mallory admits she still can’t make sense of them. As they sit close on the steps, Mallory recounts her baby-cam experiment, explaining how Teddy drew without using his eyes or his dominant hand. To her relief, Adrian takes her seriously rather than dismissing her as crazy.

Adrian notices a strong, unpleasant odor on the drawings. He compares it to the smell of a decomposing deer he once had to bag while clearing a vacant lot in Burlington County. Mallory connects this to the strange smell that sometimes lingers in Teddy’s bedroom, which Caroline attributes to bedwetting. Adrian disagrees, suggesting the smell is something else entirely.

They discuss the possibility that the ghost of Annie Barrett is influencing Teddy. Mallory feels she lacks proof to convince the Maxwells—she can’t prove Anya helped Teddy draw, nor that she sneaks into the cottage to leave pictures. Adrian offers her a place to stay in his parents’ garage apartment, but Mallory refuses, insisting she was hired to look after Teddy and won’t leave. He then offers to sleep on her floor for security, but she declines, citing the House Rules. Their conversation is interrupted when Caroline steps outside, and Adrian quickly leaves.

Caroline teases Mallory about sitting close to Adrian and suggests she invite him over, even offering to let them use the pool. After Caroline goes inside, Mallory walks back to the cottage, hearing footsteps in Hayden’s Glen. But she no longer feels afraid. She has decided Adrian is right: Anya is not trying to hurt or scare her—she is trying to communicate something. Mallory resolves to bypass the middleman, implying she will directly engage with the ghost.

Key Events

Adrian and Mallory review all nine drawings together.
Adrian notes the drawings smell like a dead animal, not urine.
Mallory describes her baby-cam experiment, showing Teddy drew without using his eyes or dominant hand.
They discuss the ghost theory, but Mallory feels she lacks proof to convince the Maxwells.
Adrian offers his parents’ garage apartment; Mallory declines.
Adrian offers to sleep on her floor; she refuses due to House Rules.
Caroline interrupts, and Adrian leaves.
Caroline teases Mallory about Adrian and suggests inviting him over.
Mallory decides Anya is trying to communicate, not scare her, and resolves to bypass the middleman.

Character Development

Mallory: This chapter reveals her internal conflict. She wants to accept Adrian’s help but is held back by her secret past—she’s an ex-junkie whose sister is dead and whose mother won’t speak to her. She also shifts from fear to a more open-minded perspective about Anya, moving from a defensive stance to a willingness to engage directly.
Adrian: He proves to be a supportive and practical ally. He takes Mallory’s claims seriously, offers concrete solutions, and shows romantic interest. His calm confidence helps Mallory see her problems as manageable.
Caroline: She appears friendly and teasing, encouraging Mallory’s potential relationship with Adrian. Her lightheartedness contrasts with the supernatural tension, grounding the story in everyday social dynamics.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Supernatural Communication vs. Fear: Mallory’s realization that Anya might be trying to communicate rather than harm is a central shift. Adrian’s reasoning—that Anya has never appeared, made noises, or messed with Mallory’s belongings—supports this interpretation.
Evidence and Proof: Mallory struggles to find tangible proof to convince others. The drawings are evidence, but she can’t prove their supernatural origin. This theme highlights the difficulty of validating the unseen.
Secrecy and Hidden Past: Mallory’s reluctance to reveal her history to Adrian creates tension. She wants his help but fears his judgment, so she keeps her past hidden, even as she considers telling him everything.
Romantic Tension: The almost-kiss and Caroline’s teasing introduce a romantic subplot. Mallory’s internal desire to say yes to Adrian’s offer contrasts with her practical and emotional barriers.
House Rules as Boundaries: Mallory’s adherence to the House Rules, even in a crisis, underscores her commitment to her job and her need to maintain control in an unstable situation.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks a turning point in Mallory’s understanding of the ghost. She moves from fear to a decision to directly engage with Anya, setting up future events. It also deepens her relationship with Adrian, revealing both his support and her internal conflict. The chapter reinforces key themes of evidence, secrecy, and supernatural communication, while advancing the plot toward a more active confrontation with the ghost.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Mallory decline Adrian’s offers to stay elsewhere or have him stay over?

Mallory refuses because she feels responsible for Teddy and is bound by the House Rules. Additionally, she is hiding her past from Adrian—she doesn’t want him to learn about her history as an ex-junkie, her sister’s death, or her estranged mother.

2. What evidence does Adrian use to argue that Anya is not trying to scare Mallory?

Adrian points out that Anya has never appeared to Mallory, never made noises or whispers, and never messed with her belongings. He argues that if Anya wanted to scare her, she would have done so already, suggesting instead that she is trying to communicate.

3. What does Mallory mean by “bypass the middleman”?

Mallory means she will directly communicate with Anya rather than relying on Teddy’s drawings or other intermediaries. She decides to take an active role in understanding the ghost’s message, rather than waiting for more drawings to appear.