Contents
Chapter 27
Overview
After a chaotic attack outside the clinic, Elsie is drenched with real blood from a water pistol and falls, injuring her wrist. Persephone is unharmed, easing Roxanne’s panic. Peter rides with Elsie in the ambulance as Adeem explains the tactic. Joan watches, appearing ashamed, hinting at neighborhood tension shifting.
Summary
Chaos erupts as Roxanne screams for Persephone. Elsie, dazed and blinded by blood, is kept still by Libby while Peter calls for an ambulance. Persephone answers Roxanne and appears unhurt, then clings to Elsie in relief.
Assessing her injuries, Elsie notes tailbone pain and a badly bent wrist. She fears a gunshot, but Adeem explains the attackers used a water pistol filled with blood, a tactic he has seen at family planning clinics. The revelation clarifies the excessive blood despite no visible wound.
Roxanne insists on medical care despite Elsie’s protests, and paramedics arrive. Peter accompanies Elsie in the ambulance, while Persephone is also checked. The Nguyens offer to look after Nugget, underscoring the neighbors’ support amid the attack.
As the ambulance doors close, Elsie notices Joan standing on her porch, uncharacteristically quiet and downcast, suggesting shame or second thoughts in the wake of the violence.
Who Appears
- ElsieElderly protagonist; doused with blood from a water pistol, falls, injures her wrist, taken by ambulance.
- RoxanneFrantic mother; searches for Persephone and pushes for Elsie to receive medical care.
- PersephoneChild at the scene; unharmed and reassures everyone, hugging Elsie.
- PeterSupportive neighbor; calls for help and rides with Elsie in the ambulance.
- LibbyNeighbor who keeps Elsie still after the fall and reassures her.
- AdeemExplains the attack used a water pistol filled with blood, calming fears of a shooting.
- JoanNeighbor who watches silently from her porch, appearing ashamed after the attack.
- The NguyensNeighbors who offer to look after Nugget during the ambulance trip.
- NuggetElsie’s dog; temporarily cared for by the Nguyens amid the emergency.