The People in the Trees

Content Warning: This section discusses sexual assault and rape of a minor.

Victor arrives with Norton at his house in Bethesda, Maryland in 1980. He is determined to be about four years old and is now one of 22 children split between late teens and early childhood. Norton does his best to be out of the house, often feeling overwhelmed by the children and even sometimes confusing them with each other. Victor, despite being the newest sibling, is not well received by the children, and even after healing from the many physical ailments he brought with him from U’ivu, proves to be a challenging child. He is ungovernable and must be taught how to be sociable. Norton tries all types of parenting with him, but none seem to work. After a few years of hard work, though, Victor finally adjusts. After adopting Victor, Norton takes a break from adopting and travels and visits Owen instead, trying to find an answer to his inescapable loneliness. Nothing works, and he eventually returns to adoption, not understanding the reason for his compulsion.

As Norton ages, he loses interest in raising his children and longs to start his life anew, but this goal is impossible while he still has children in the house.