The Light Pirate

The narrative moves back in time. Phyllis grows concerned about the quiet grief that takes over Wanda after Lucas’s final departure from Rudder and Blackbeard’s disappearance a few months later. She also worries about Wanda’s newfound habit of setting out by herself in the canoe that used to be Arjun’s. Wanda becomes more herself again during hurricane season, as if the storms are “filling her internal stores with that great, churning power they wrought” (281), and Phyllis admires the teenager’s resilience and adaptability.

One day, Phyllis and Wanda paddle their canoe to a long-abandoned Walmart. Wanda touches the water to illuminate the flooded store. Terrified that someone will see and hunt Wanda down, Phyllis hisses at her to stop. The teenager complies but is hurt by her friend’s harsh tone. Corey sees the women as they paddle homeward and tells his sister, Brie, “Like Dad always says: easy pickings” (286).

The narrative moves forward in time. The revelation that Bird Dog is Brie sends Wanda into a panic, and she paddles away as quickly as she can.