Chapter 22 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
Stevie begins the chapter by changing into her last clean shirt—the stiff, rectangular white Camp Sunny Pines tee she was issued on arrival. She briefly considers borrowing Janelle's lipstick but decides against it, fearing it would look out of character. She catches her reflection in the bathroom mirror, noticing a patchy sunburn and damp hair, and mutters a self-deprecating comment.
She meets David at the campsite, where he has been swimming and is still wet. They walk around the lake to Arrowhead Point, the spot where Allison Abbott fell. Stevie studies the terrain carefully: she squats and pours water from her bottle to test the slope, then lies on her stomach to peer over the edge. She observes a straight drop onto rocks below, with a path and trees about ten feet from the lake. Based on the witnesses' descriptions of Allison tumbling and screaming, Stevie concludes that Allison likely tripped rather than jumped. David agrees, noting how easy it would be to fall if distracted.
As thunder rumbles in the distance, they lie on the ground and kiss passionately. But the moment is interrupted when David brings up the conversation he started earlier that morning. He reveals that an acquaintance of his father—someone who dislikes his dad—has offered to help him get into a university program in England and cover the costs. David says he has to give an answer by the end of the week.
Stevie reacts poorly. She feels a cold, frightened sensation, thinking that she just got David back and now he's leaving again. She makes a cutting remark about him not having to pay for school like a normal person. The argument escalates; David snaps back that he's been trying to tell her, and Stevie walks away crying. As she reaches the road, hail begins to fall, forcing her to run back to the camp for cover.
The storm continues all afternoon and night. A lightning bolt knocks out the power, and Stevie's devices run out of battery, cutting off any communication with David. She lies awake, listening to the rain and thunder, and considers walking to the campsite but decides against it. The next morning, July 4th, she wakes to the camp's loudspeaker. She checks her phone—no texts from David. She hurries to the campsite, but when she arrives, his tent is gone.
Key Events
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Stevie changes into the white Camp Sunny Pines shirt and meets David at the campsite.
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They walk to Arrowhead Point, where Stevie investigates the terrain and concludes Allison likely tripped.
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They kiss, but David then reveals an opportunity to study in England.
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Stevie and David argue about the opportunity, and Stevie walks away as hail begins.
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A severe storm knocks out power overnight, leaving Stevie without communication.
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On the morning of July 4th, Stevie finds David's tent gone, indicating his disappearance.
Character Development
Stevie shows her vulnerability and emotional fragility. She admits to herself that she doesn't handle emotionally taxing conversations well and spirals quickly. Her resentment of David's privilege surfaces—she thinks about how no one would offer her a free ride to school, even though she solved a murder. She is self-aware enough to know she's being unfair, but she can't stop herself from lashing out. Her decision to walk away, then her regret, highlights her impulsiveness and fear of abandonment.
David demonstrates his own insecurity and frustration. He has been trying to share his news since he arrived, but Stevie's reaction makes him defensive. He reveals that the offer comes from someone who dislikes his father, suggesting he's trying to distance himself from his family's reputation. His quiet, pensive mood earlier in the chapter hints at the weight of this decision. His disappearance at the end leaves his motivations ambiguous—did he leave because of the argument, or is something else going on?
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Accidental Death Theory vs. Suicide: Stevie's investigation at Arrowhead Point reinforces the idea that Allison's death was likely an accident. The physical evidence—the gentle slope, the easy trip—supports the witness accounts. This theme contrasts with the earlier suspicion of foul play, suggesting that sometimes the simplest explanation is true.
Privilege and Class Divide: Stevie's resentment of David's opportunity highlights the gap between them. She feels that David gets things handed to him, while she has to work for everything. This theme is central to their conflict and reflects broader social dynamics.
Communication Breakdown: The argument between Stevie and David is a classic example of miscommunication. David tries to share important news, but Stevie's emotional reaction prevents a productive conversation. The storm and power outage symbolize the breakdown—they are physically and digitally cut off from each other.
Isolation and Disconnection: The storm isolates Stevie from David, and the lack of communication leaves her alone with her thoughts. This motif sets up the final discovery of David's disappearance, emphasizing her vulnerability.
Emotional Spiral: Stevie's internal monologue shows her spiraling from happiness to fear to anger. This pattern is a recurring element of her character, and it drives the chapter's conflict.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter serves as a turning point in the mystery. Stevie's investigation at Arrowhead Point provides a plausible explanation for Allison's death, suggesting the case may be closed. However, David's disappearance at the end introduces a new mystery that complicates everything. The chapter also deepens the emotional stakes, showing the fragility of Stevie and David's relationship. The storm and power outage create a sense of isolation that makes David's absence more ominous. This chapter sets up the next phase of the story, where Stevie must confront both the unresolved questions about Allison and the sudden loss of David.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What evidence leads Stevie to conclude that Allison tripped rather than jumped?
Stevie observes the terrain at Arrowhead Point, noting the gentle slope and the way water trickles down slowly before picking up speed at a dip. She lies on her stomach to see the drop, which is straight onto rocks. She also considers the witnesses' descriptions of Allison tumbling and screaming, which suggests a fall rather than a deliberate leap. This combination of physical evidence and eyewitness accounts convinces her that the death was likely accidental.
2. How does David's news about the England program affect Stevie, and why does she react so strongly?
David reveals that an acquaintance of his father has offered to help him get into a university in England and cover the costs. Stevie reacts with fear and anger because she feels he is leaving again, just as they were getting close. She also resents his privilege, thinking that he gets opportunities handed to him while she has to work for everything. Her emotional spiral leads her to make a cutting remark, which escalates the argument and causes her to walk away.
3. What is the significance of the storm and power outage in this chapter?
The storm and power outage serve to isolate Stevie from David, cutting off all communication. This physical separation mirrors the emotional distance created by their argument. It also sets up the final scene, where Stevie discovers David's tent is gone. The storm's intensity and the lack of power heighten the sense of unease and foreshadow the mystery of David's disappearance.
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