Chapter 188: Eurydice – 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
Icarus enters Helios’s room silently and finds him sweating, barely responsive. Helios reveals he took half of an old methadone dose he had hidden in his shoes, because his ribs hurt so much. Icarus fights his panic, checks Helios for wounds, and reassures him that they can handle this. When the back door slams, Icarus realizes Mr. Black is nearby. He leads Helios to the closet, insulates the walls with stapled material, and prepares to remove the ankle tracker. He wraps Helios’s ankle in rubber, positions the handsaw, and whispers a Latin prayer before cutting.
Key Events
- Icarus discovers Helios under the influence of methadone.
- Helios apologizes repeatedly and confesses his love for Icarus.
- Icarus responds “I love you too” under pressure.
- Mr. Black’s movements force them into the closet.
- Icarus insulates the closet walls and prepares to saw off the ankle tracker.
- Icarus recites a prayer from Psalm 84 (“Domine, exaudi vocem meam”) before cutting.
Character Development
Icarus shows remarkable self-control: he suppresses his panic, speaks gently to Helios, and pivots to a surgical, focused task. His tenderness (“put as much tenderness into his voice as he could manage”) contrasts with the violent act he is about to perform. The prayer reveals his desperation and his need for divine help.
Helios is physically broken and emotionally vulnerable. His confession of love comes out of nowhere, indicating drug-altered judgment or a long-suppressed truth. His childlike whining (“That hurts”) and slow movements underscore his helplessness.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Desperation and trust. Icarus trusts Helios to stay still during the sawing, and Helios trusts Icarus not to harm him. The closet becomes a cramped sanctuary where a brutal, necessary act takes place.
The handsaw symbolises the violent cost of freedom. Cutting off the tracker is a step toward escape but also a painful, invasive procedure.
The prayer (from Psalm 84) introduces a religious plea for protection. It contrasts with the secular, clinical task and highlights the stakes.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks the point of no return. Icarus commits fully to Helios’s rescue despite the immediate danger from Mr. Black and the self-inflicted complication of the methadone. It also deepens the emotional bond between the two characters through the love confession and Icarus’s response. The physical removal of the tracker is the most direct defiance of Mr. Black’s control yet.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Icarus not get angry at Helios for taking the methadone?
Icarus recognises that Helios acted out of severe pain and that anger would waste precious time. He prioritises gentleness and efficiency, saying “That’s okay, we can deal with that later.” -
What does the prayer reveal about Icarus’s state of mind?
The prayer shows that Icarus feels he has exhausted his own power and now needs divine assistance. It also reflects his fear of making a mistake that could injure Helios. -
How does the setting of the closet affect the tension?
The cramped, dark closet forces proximity and silence, amplifying every sound (the handsaw, Mr. Black’s movements). It transforms a safe hiding place into a stage for a dangerous medical procedure.