Contents
Chapter 40
Overview
Ella slips into the Carters’ unlocked back door but is driven off by a barking dog and a light switching on upstairs. Rattled and sleepless, she goes to Anton’s window at 2 a.m., reveals she’s carrying an X-Acto knife, and he insists on walking her home.
The failed break-in heightens Ella’s fixation and risk-taking while deepening her reliance on Anton for safety and grounding.
Summary
In the middle of the night, Ella reaches the Carters’ back door, noting the clean, normal kitchen through the window and imagining the comfortable life inside. Longing to belong, she eases the unlocked door open, knife in hand, thinking she could quietly explore, even Brittany’s room.
Before she can enter, a dog explodes into barking, startling Ella into slamming the door and fleeing. As she runs, she spots an upstairs light switch on and worries she has been seen, realizing how much trouble she’d face if caught.
Too wired to sleep, Ella wanders until she finds herself outside Anton’s apartment. She tosses pebbles at his window; Anton appears, surprised, and comes down to meet her. Shaken, Ella withholds the full story of her near break-in, insisting she’s fine.
When Anton offers to walk her home, Ella displays the X-Acto knife as “protection.” Anton warns she could be expelled if caught with it at school and says school would suck without her. Accepting his help, Ella walks home beside him in quiet companionship, her nerves settling as his shoulder brushes hers and he smiles.
Who Appears
- EllaNarrator; attempts to slip into the Carters’ house, flees a barking dog, then seeks comfort from Anton and shows her X-Acto knife.
- AntonAwakened by Ella at 2 a.m.; concerned, cautions her about the knife, and walks her home for safety.