Chapter 13 Summary: Key Events, Themes, 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
Chapter 13 opens with Drew staring at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, exhausted and anxious. He's about to carry out a risky plan to break into Sheriff Roane's office and copy recordings related to Lola's disappearance. His father, Papá, knocks on the door, concerned because Drew has been distant lately. Drew reassures him with a hug and a promise that he's okay, though he's secretly preparing to sneak out. After saying goodnight, Drew creates a pillow decoy in his bed, climbs out his window, and meets Max, who has already moved to the passenger seat so Drew can drive. They pick up Autumn, who is pacing nervously on her porch. As they drive past Lola's house, Drew notices her bedroom light is still on—a detail that hits everyone hard. Autumn wipes a tear and says the light will never be turned off until they find her.
The trio reviews the plan one more time. Max will call 911 from a pay phone at the park, claiming a creepy guy is chasing a woman, to draw the deputies away from the station. Autumn will distract her father, Sheriff Roane, with a fake internet crisis, while Drew slips into his office and copies the tip-line recordings. Autumn provides her father's computer password: her mother's birthday, 12.28.1976, with periods. They drop Max at the park, and Drew and Autumn proceed to the station.
Autumn enters first and begins arguing with Roane about the internet, using a mix of genuine frustration and theatrical tears. Drew waits outside until he sees the deputies leave and Autumn gives him a signal. He slips into the station, past the receptionist Savannah, and into Roane's office. He finds the password works, and on the desktop he sees a folder labeled with Lola's name. He opens it but finds no recordings, only statements and photos. He then checks the downloads folder and searches for