Prologue: 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 Prologue opens on July 18, 2000, with nine-year-old Jax and her older sister Lexie treading water in their grandmother's spring-fed pool at Sparrow Crest in Brandenburg, Vermont. Lexie declares that “the dead have nothing to fear” and insists they play the Dead Game—a ritual where they float facedown, eyes open, holding their breath as long as possible. Jax is terrified, especially because Lexie claims their aunt Rita, who drowned in the pool at age seven, is down there waiting for them. Despite her fear, Jax agrees to keep her eyes open and swears an oath with Lexie, sealing it with a finger-cross and the phrase “The X girls, now and forever.”

The pool itself is described as dark, cold, and foul-smelling—black water that hides the bottom, reeking of rot and sulphur, and tasting like burnt matches and rust. It is surrounded by carved granite, moss, and algae, with weeds clinging to the edges. The sisters spend every summer at Sparrow Crest with their grandmother, while their mother and stepfather Ted visit only occasionally. Gram is a reclusive woman who rarely leaves the house; Lexie reveals she has agoraphobia, a condition Jax doesn't fully understand.

Gram has strict swimming rules: no swimming alone, no swimming unless she's home, and absolutely no swimming at night. The reason for these rules is the tragic death of Rita, the girls' aunt, who drowned in the pool when she was seven. The sisters know that Gram would be furious if she caught them playing the Dead Game—she once did, and she banned the game outright, threatening to forbid them from the pool entirely.

As they float, Jax recalls the stories Lexie tells about Rita: that Rita lives in the pool, that she comes out at night, and that she might come for them. Jax pictures Rita's pale form, her dark hair tangled with weeds, and imagines her pulling herself out of the water. She also remembers finding Rita's old books and a board game with Rita's name and a drawing of her imaginary friend Martha. The sisters often speculate about why Rita went to the pool in the middle of the night and who found her body the next morning.

The chapter ends with the two girls still floating facedown, side by side, their bodies bumping against each other. Jax's lungs burn and her limbs are numb, but she keeps her eyes open, scanning the darkness for any sign of Rita. The final lines describe them as “two dead girls, side by side, bodies bumping against each other. Alone, but together.”

Key Events

Lexie and Jax play the Dead Game in the pool, floating facedown with eyes open.
Lexie claims Rita is in the pool and will come for them, terrifying Jax.
The pool is described in detail—dark, cold, spring-fed, with a canal leading to a brook and river.
The sisters' summer routine at Sparrow Crest is established, including Gram's strict swimming rules.
The backstory of Aunt Rita's drowning at age seven is revealed.
Gram's agoraphobia is mentioned, contrasting with her physical toughness (she does winter cold plunges).
The girls recall finding Rita's belongings and the stories Lexie tells about Rita haunting the pool.
The chapter ends with the sisters still floating, alone but together.

Character Development

Jax is the narrator and the younger sister, only nine years old. She is fearful and reluctant, but she follows Lexie's lead out of loyalty and a desire to prove she's not a coward. Her internal struggle—wanting to surface but forcing herself to stay under—shows her determination and her deep-seated fear of the unknown. She is also imaginative, picturing Rita's ghost vividly.

Lexie is bold, teasing, and seemingly fearless. She initiates the Dead Game, insists on keeping eyes open, and uses Rita's ghost story to torment Jax. Yet her actions also reveal a protective side: she makes Jax swear they'll face Rita together, saying “If she comes for one of us, she'll have to take us both.” She is the instigator and the one who seems to believe in the supernatural more than Jax.

Gram is a background figure but looms large. She is described as strong and brave—she swims in the pool even in winter—but also trapped by agoraphobia. Her strict rules and her terror when she caught the girls playing the Dead Game hint at a traumatic past connected to Rita's death.

Rita is a ghostly presence, never appearing directly but haunting the narrative through Lexie's stories and Jax's imagination. She represents the unresolved tragedy that hangs over the family and the pool.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

The Pool as a Symbol of Death and Mystery: The pool is dark, cold, and bottomless, hiding secrets. It is the site of Rita's drowning and the focus of the girls' macabre game. The water is both a source of life (Gram's rejuvenating plunges) and a threat.
Drowning and Death: The Dead Game mimics drowning, and the girls pretend to be dead. The chapter explores the boundary between life and death, and the idea that the dead might still be present.
Fear of the Unknown: Jax's terror of what might be in the water—Rita's ghost—represents a broader fear of the unseen and the unexplained.
Sisterhood and Loyalty: The bond between Lexie and Jax is central. They face their fears together, and their oath (“The X girls”) emphasizes their unity.
Forbidden Rules and Transgression: Gram's rules are clear, but the girls break them, adding a thrill of danger. The game is forbidden because it reminds Gram of Rita's death.
Agoraphobia and Confinement: Gram's agoraphobia contrasts with her physical bravery in the water. She is trapped by her mind, unable to leave the house, while the pool is her refuge and her prison.
The Dead Have Nothing to Fear: Lexie's opening line suggests that death is a release from fear, but the girls' fear is very much alive.
Water as Danger and Rejuvenation: The pool is both deadly (Rita drowned) and healing (Gram claims it keeps her young). This duality is central to the novel's mystery.

Why This Chapter Matters

The Prologue establishes the novel's setting, tone, and central mystery. It introduces the key characters—Jax, Lexie, and Gram—and the haunting legacy of Aunt Rita's death. The pool is more than a setting; it is a character in its own right, imbued with danger and supernatural possibility. The chapter also sets up the theme of sisterhood and the girls' shared secret, which will likely be tested as the story unfolds. The final image of the two girls floating alone but together foreshadows the isolation and connection that will define their relationship. This prologue hooks the reader by posing questions: Is Rita's ghost real? What happened that night? And why is Gram so afraid? These questions drive the narrative forward.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Lexie insist that they keep their eyes open during the Dead Game, and what does this reveal about her character?

Lexie insists they keep their eyes open because she wants to confront the possibility of seeing Rita's ghost. She is not just playing a game; she is testing her own bravery and perhaps seeking proof of the supernatural. This reveals that Lexie is fearless, curious, and willing to face danger head-on, even if it means confronting death. It also shows her desire to control the situation—she sets the rules and expects Jax to follow.

2. How does the description of the pool contribute to the chapter's atmosphere of dread?

The pool is described as black, cold, and foul-smelling, with water so dark you can't see your feet. It tastes like burnt matches and rust, and it numbs the limbs. This sensory detail creates a sense of unease and danger. The pool is not a refreshing swimming hole but a place of decay and hidden threats. The fact that it is spring-fed and has no pump adds to its natural, untamed quality, making it feel ancient and mysterious. The description primes the reader to expect something sinister.

3. What role does Gram's agoraphobia play in the story, and how does it contrast with her physical bravery?

Gram's agoraphobia means she is trapped inside her house, unable to leave, yet she is physically brave enough to chop ice and swim in the pool in winter. This contrast highlights the difference between physical courage and mental confinement. It suggests that Gram's fear is not of the physical world but of something psychological—perhaps the trauma of Rita's death. Her agoraphobia may also be a way of staying close to the pool, the site of her loss, while also being unable to escape it. This duality makes her a complex character and hints at deeper secrets.