Chapter 27 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
The chapter opens with Brian preparing the pullout sofa for the night while Mario emerges from the bathroom. Brian takes a brief phone call, and Mario speculates about the conversation—wondering if Brian is speaking to Stephanie, perhaps expressing love or, more ominously, planning to kill Mario and take his money. Mario acknowledges that he understands such desperation.
Brian initiates a conversation, admitting he saw disturbing things that day. He then tells Mario a long story about a childhood friend named Jake, who grew up in Hill Country near Blanco. Jake claimed a strange creature lived in his grandparents' barn—a humanoid figure with a large head and black eyes that hid in the woods by day. Jake repeatedly saw it, but his family dismissed it as a barn owl. Over time, mutilated animals appeared on the property, and no scavengers would touch them. Jake's grandfather eventually agreed to hunt the creature. One night, he went into the barn with a rifle; Jake heard two shots and a screech. When they found the grandfather, his body was in the rafters, with a hole in his side and a cut on his neck. No weapon or suspect was ever found, and the local newspaper vaguely reported an attack by an unknown assailant.
Brian explains why he told the story: he accepts that strange things happen, but what they witnessed that day—the sludge Vázquez applied to his forehead and the body in the box—was too much. He wants to finish the job the next night and leave El Paso. Mario, wary that Brian might kill him, hides his fear, remembering Juanca's advice about not appearing weak.
Mario sits on the opposite side of the bed and picks up his phone to avoid conversation. He closes browser tabs and encounters an old article about rising rates of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Hispanic children. This triggers memories of his daughter Anita's illness and death. He recalls reading medical articles he couldn't understand, feeling helpless and stupid. He briefly considers texting Melisa an apology—thinking that Perdón would carry more weight than Sorry—but ultimately puts his phone away, deciding to wait until he's home.
Key Events
-
Brian prepares the sofa and takes a phone call, leaving Mario to speculate about his intentions.
-
Brian tells the story of Jake's grandfather's death, involving a mysterious creature and an unsolved murder.
-
Brian confesses his fear about the supernatural events they witnessed and his desire to complete the job and flee.
-
Mario suppresses his fear, recalling Juanca's advice about not showing weakness.
-
Mario closes browser tabs and finds an article about leukemia in Hispanic children, triggering grief over his daughter Anita.
-
Mario considers texting Melisa an apology but decides to wait.
Character Development
Brian reveals a vulnerable side in this chapter. His story about Jake is not just a random anecdote; it's his way of processing the inexplicable events of the day. He admits he accepts that weird things happen, but the sludge and the corpse have shaken him. His fear is palpable, and he openly expresses a desire to escape El Paso. This moment humanizes Brian, showing that he is not just a hardened criminal but a man grappling with forces beyond his control.
Mario continues to navigate a world of paranoia and suppressed emotion. He is acutely aware that Brian might kill him, yet he forces himself to appear calm. His internal monologue reveals a deep well of grief and guilt. The article about leukemia brings back painful memories of Anita, and he wrestles with self-blame and resentment toward Melisa. His decision to put away the phone suggests a prioritization of survival over emotional reconciliation.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
The Supernatural and the Unknown: Brian's story about the creature in the barn parallels the inexplicable events of the day. Both involve forces that defy rational explanation, reinforcing the novel's exploration of a world where the supernatural intrudes on ordinary life.
Masculinity and Emotional Suppression: Mario's refusal to show fear, and his observation that Brian might be unable to say