Chapter 86

As September wanes, Autumn avoids college and spends her days secluded, while family members try to maintain routines around her. She meets with Dr. Singh, lies through his questions, and accepts an increased prescription she has already stopped taking. The date—halfway between her and Finny’s birthdays—sharpens her grief as she stares at his window and contemplates how life has gone dull.

Autumn fixates on the belief that she has outstayed her time and decides that, though Finny would not want this, he would forgive her. This conviction becomes her rationale. She waits until her mother and Aunt Angelina go quiet for the night, then leaves a note in the kitchen, acknowledging she cannot explain everything.

At the butcher block, Autumn chooses the largest knife, reasoning determination will matter more than practicality. She slips into the night, crosses their shared backyards, and enters Aunt Angelina’s house using the spare key, returning it to avoid blame.

Inside the silent home, Autumn ascends to Finny’s closed room—untouched since they left it together holding hands. She tapes a sign instructing others not to force entry and to call police, then locks herself inside, prepared to end her life.