Zane and the Hurricane

Outside the Superdome, Zane sees people of all ages, mostly Black people, but a few white and multiracial folks, looking “like zombies on a long walk to nowhere” (133). They are filthy and shocked, some pushing shopping carts of their belongings. Zane, Malvina, and Tru smell the stench of urine and feces coming from the Superdome. Hundreds of people crowd by the entrance, which is closed and guarded by police and National Guardsmen. Others stand in a long, unmoving line. Malvina asks an elderly lady if there are doctors inside. The woman has not seen any: People inside are dying from the heat and lack of care, and others are getting violent. Those in line are waiting for busses out of the city, but no busses have come. Tru apologizes, but Malvina angrily yells that none of this was his fault. Zane is impressed when Malvina shouts “True dat!” and the crowd agrees. An expensive Cadillac Escalade with a thumping stereo drives up, and Dylan Toomey emerges.

Zane feels terrified and helpless and wants to flee. He is now certain that Dylan Toomey is a bad guy.