After The First Death

On the bus, Kate waits and plans to make her move to drive back to safety. Fearful but resolved, she rehearses the movements in her head, wishing “she could rehearse her bravery” (146). Miro watches her, entranced by her beauty. He knows he should be more careful, but he believes she’s only a simple American girl and can pose no threat.

Artkin visits the bus periodically. On one visit, he notices Raymond watching him with wide, aware eyes. Artkin gives Raymond candy and watches as the child eats it. Raymond falls into the drugged sleep. Kate sits beside him. Tiredness overtakes her, and listening to the children’s soft snores, she falls into “a deep dreamless sleep of clinging darkness” (151).

Kate wakes to twilight and realizes she needs to act before it gets dark. She sits in the driver’s seat and rehearses the steps of driving away while she waits for Miro to take one of his breaks outside. When he doesn’t, she asks him to open the door because it’s hot. He does and after a pause, steps outside. Kate closes him out and starts