Chapter 33

Elsie, alone late at night, hears violent knocking at Roxanne’s door and feels a new, unwelcome fear. She watches a tall, tattooed man—familiar as the “Italian Stallion”—demand Roxanne come out, while nosy neighbors, including Joan and the Nguyens, watch from their windows. Peter’s house stays dark and unhelpful.

When the door finally opens, it is not Roxanne but young Persephone, standing in pajamas with her comforter. Sensing immediate danger, Elsie rushes over with Nugget, confronting the man, who recognizes her from before. To protect Persephone, Elsie boldly claims she is the babysitter and needs to get inside.

Elsie leverages the visible attention of multiple neighbors and warns that Joan likely called the police. A distant siren sounds, spooking the man enough to make him glance down the lane. Seizing the moment, Elsie grabs Persephone and pulls her into the house, Nugget slipping in before the door slams.

Safe inside, the adrenaline breaks: Persephone clings to Elsie and cries, and Elsie tears up as well. The confrontation ends without Roxanne appearing, leaving the threat unresolved but reinforcing Elsie’s protective commitment to Persephone amid growing danger on the lane.