We Are All the Same in the Dark

The novel switches to the point of view of Angel, five years later. Angel, now 18, is still running from her father and has not told anyone about her connection to Odette. She says that “strangers are powerful” and that Odette is the reason she is still alive (186). Now, she has returned to the town to investigate Odette’s disappearance. She still has the piece of paper Odette gave her, with six words written on it: tender, resilient, strong, resourceful, kind, and empathetic.

Angel goes to the cemetery, where the town is unveiling a memorial statue for Odette and Trumanell. Odette’s uncle, the pastor, goes on stage to speak. Angel prays, asking Odette for forgiveness: She believes that if she had not refused to speak, Odette might still be alive.

When the preacher finishes speaking, Rusty takes the stage. He is reluctant to speak, saying the event is bad for the town’s image. He shoots three bullets into the sky in Odette’s honor and says he is not finished looking for her. The statue is unveiled, and the crowd lines up to examine it more closely. As Angel and an older woman in the crowd are looking at it, the old woman asks Angel who she is, and Angel lies.