Out of the Woods

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of illness and death. 

As the retreat reaches its final stage, Sarah feels proud of her physical accomplishments and emotional growth and wishes her mother could “see how hard [she’s] trying to make the most of the life she gave [her]” (256). Kieran teases Sarah that she is only in a good mood because she and Caleb broke the abstinence rule. The group confesses that the abstinence rule does not exist—it is a hazing ritual the others have carried forward for each new participant. Sarah and Caleb make the group promise that they can continue the prank next year.

The camaraderie is broken when Helen’s walkie-talkie alerts her. It becomes clear someone is injured, and Sarah fights off panic. To her horror, Helen takes her aside and explains that Caleb helped Libby out of the water after she fell through a rickety bridge. Libby is fine, but Caleb slipped and hit his head while climbing out. Helen urges Sarah to meet Caleb before the ambulance arrives for him.

Sarah rushes to Caleb and asks him questions to keep him conscious. She apologizes, feeling responsible since the retreat was her idea, but Caleb assures her has no regrets.