Chapter 18

During the storm, Casey serves Eleanor spaghetti and fancy chocolate chip cookies, prompting small talk that gently expands Eleanor’s word count. Eleanor admits liking double chocolate chip and scrutinizes the gift card, prying into Casey’s connections with Lee, the neighbor who gave the cookies.

Casey shares restrained details about Lee as Eleanor peppers her with questions about his looks, personality, and intentions. Eleanor mentions her mother’s belief that boys only do nice things if interested, revealing a mother exists but is not searching for her. Casey recalls a near-date birthday dinner with Lee that she cut short, reflecting her reluctance to engage romantically.

When Casey asks about Eleanor’s relationships, Eleanor briefly hints at a past interest, then shuts down. She states she will leave in the morning and is “almost there,” implying she came to this remote area deliberately. Casey infers deep mistrust of adults and possible past harm.

To build trust, Casey introduces an “infinity promise,” claiming she has never broken one and joking about death by dysentery if broken. Eleanor, amused, asks for assurance. Casey promises not to tell anyone Eleanor is there without her permission, while still advocating for help later. Eleanor agrees, and her grip on the knife visibly relaxes, signaling fragile but growing trust.