Chapter 6 Summary and 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

Late at night, Mallory heads to the Maxwells' pool to practice swimming, following Russell's exercise plan. She is a self-described lousy swimmer, having grown up with a crowded public pool where she never learned proper technique. The backyard feels eerie after dark, with the forest seeming to press closer and the pool's halogen lights casting an unnatural glow. She warms up with leg kicks and attempts freestyle laps, but her upper body quickly tires. By the middle of the fifth lap, she has to stop and cling to the side, struggling to catch her breath.

While resting, she hears a soft cracking sound from the forest—the sound of a person stepping on a dry branch. She turns but sees nothing. Then Ted appears, shirtless and in swim trunks, offering to swim with her. He gives her unsolicited advice: breathe every other stroke, always on the same side. She tries it and finds immediate improvement. After she climbs out, Ted notices a small tattoo at the base of her hip—the face of Gritty, the Philadelphia Flyers mascot. Mallory is embarrassed, explaining it was a mistake from a past relationship. She reveals that two years ago she became involved with an older man named Isaac, who had access to prescription drugs and a love of hockey. She got the tattoo to impress him, but Isaac was arrested and she ended up back on the streets. Ted tries to reassure her by mentioning that Caroline also has a tattoo she wants removed, but Mallory feels the comparison doesn't help.

They hear another loud crack from the forest. Mallory says she has heard footsteps outside her cottage at night. Ted dismisses it as rabbits or teenagers, then warns her to steer clear of Mitzi, whom he suspects of dealing drugs. Mallory, who grew up with a tarot-reading neighbor she trusted, defends Mitzi as harmless. Ted insists she be careful.

As Mallory is about to leave, Caroline approaches, still in work clothes, and confronts her about a missed phone message from Teddy's school. Mallory remembers writing down the principal's number but got distracted by one of Teddy's drawings. Caroline is furious, explaining that missing a deadline could cost Teddy his spot in kindergarten, which has a waitlist of thirty names. She scolds Mallory sharply, then walks back to the house. Ted tries to comfort Mallory, saying Caroline is mad at the school, not her, but he hurries away to join Caroline.

Back in her cottage, Mallory hears footsteps outside her window. She tries to convince herself it's a deer, but the sounds grow closer and then move beneath the cottage. She discovers a square access panel in the floorboards. Determined to handle the problem herself, she pries it open with effort. Peering into the dark hole, she sees only gray dust at first, but then the dust moves and black spots blink—a creature with claws and teeth rears up. Mallory screams, slams the panel shut, and throws her body on top of it. Caroline and Ted rush over within a minute. Ted identifies the animal as a possum, not a rat, and explains there's a hole in the lattice on the west wall. Caroline insists Ted nail the hatch shut immediately. While he works, she makes chamomile tea, and the three sit together on Mallory's bed, talking and laughing until she feels calm.

Key Events

Mallory practices swimming alone at night and struggles with her stamina.
Ted joins her, offers breathing advice, and notices her Gritty tattoo.
Mallory explains the tattoo's origin: a failed attempt to impress Isaac, a man with drug connections.
Ted warns Mallory to be cautious around Mitzi, suspecting her of dealing drugs.
Caroline confronts Mallory about failing to relay a phone message from Teddy's school, scolding her about a missed deadline.
Mallory hears mysterious footsteps outside her cottage and discovers an access panel in the floor.
She pries it open and sees a creature with claws and teeth, screams, and slams the panel shut.
Caroline and Ted rush over; Ted identifies the animal as a possum and nails the hatch shut.
Caroline makes tea, and the three sit together until Mallory feels safe.

Character Development

Mallory is shown as vulnerable and isolated. Her swimming struggles highlight her physical limitations and her determination to improve. The tattoo incident reveals her past mistakes and her tendency to make impulsive decisions to gain approval. Her fear of the creature under the cottage underscores her deep-seated anxiety and her reliance on the Maxwells for safety. She also shows a desire to fix problems on her own, as seen when she tries to handle the noise without calling for help.

Ted comes across as kind and supportive, offering swimming advice and trying to comfort Mallory after Caroline's scolding. However, his suspicion of Mitzi reveals a distrustful side, and his quick departure to join Caroline suggests a need to manage his wife's moods. His identification of the possum and his willingness to secure the hatch show his practical, protective nature.

Caroline is portrayed as strict and anxious, particularly about Teddy's education. Her sharp scolding of Mallory is a departure from her usual demeanor, showing the pressure she feels. Yet her immediate response to Mallory's scream—rushing over, calming her, and insisting on nailing the hatch—demonstrates genuine care beneath her stern exterior.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Fear of the unknown is central. The forest's sounds, the mysterious footsteps, and the creature under the cottage all represent the unseen threats that haunt Mallory. The access panel symbolizes hidden spaces and secrets—both literal (the crawlspace) and metaphorical (Mallory's past, the Maxwells' private lives).

Vulnerability and isolation are evident in Mallory's late-night swim, her inability to swim well, and her fear of being alone in the cottage. The pool's eerie light and the encroaching forest emphasize her exposure.

Trust and suspicion are explored through Ted's distrust of Mitzi and Mallory's defense of her. Mallory's past with Isaac shows how misplaced trust can lead to harm, while the Maxwells' care for her suggests a tentative bond.

Parental anxiety is highlighted by Caroline's intense focus on Teddy's kindergarten application. The missed phone message becomes a symbol of the high stakes and the fragility of the family's plans.

Intrusion and boundaries are present as the creature invades Mallory's private space, and as Caroline and Ted enter her cottage uninvited (though with her key). The nailing shut of the hatch represents an attempt to re-establish boundaries.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens the mystery of the Maxwell household and Mallory's place within it. The incident with the possum—and Mallory's extreme reaction—blurs the line between rational explanation and supernatural fear, a key tension in the novel. The chapter also reveals more about Mallory's past, including her relationship with Isaac and her tattoo, which humanizes her and explains her vulnerability. Caroline's scolding introduces a new source of tension, showing that Mallory's position is precarious. The chapter ends with a moment of warmth and connection, suggesting that despite the conflicts, the Maxwells may become a source of stability for Mallory—or that the threat is far from over.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Mallory get the Gritty tattoo, and what does it reveal about her character?

Mallory got the tattoo to impress Isaac, an older man with access to prescription drugs and a love of hockey. She hoped he would think she was cool and let her stay in his condo. The tattoo reveals her desperation for approval and her tendency to make impulsive decisions that later cause regret. It also shows her willingness to compromise her own identity to fit in with others.

2. How does Caroline's reaction to the missed phone message affect Mallory's relationship with the Maxwells?

Caroline's sharp scolding shocks Mallory, as it is the first time Caroline has yelled at her. It makes Mallory feel awful and highlights the power imbalance in their relationship—Mallory is an employee who must meet expectations. However, Caroline's later care for Mallory after the possum incident suggests that the conflict is not personal but stems from Caroline's anxiety about Teddy's future. The chapter ends with the three of them laughing together, indicating a temporary reconciliation.

3. What might the creature under the cottage symbolize, and how does Mallory's reaction reflect her state of mind?

The creature—later revealed as a possum—symbolizes the unknown threats that Mallory perceives in her new environment. Her extreme fear, screaming and slamming the panel, reflects her heightened anxiety and her sense of vulnerability. The fact that she initially mistakes it for a rat and then fears it might return shows how her imagination amplifies danger. The incident also foreshadows that the real threats in the story may not be as simple as they appear.