Parable of the Sower

Harry, Zahra, and Lauren are now on the 23, and they see a fire to the east of them, which reminds them of what they’ve lost. Lauren reflects that her “cold-bloodedness” bothers Harry, but he liked her verses. He distrusts her now, though. That night, when they set up camp and their watch, she hears Harry and Zahra having sex. She is upset that no one is guarding them. After they finish, Harry falls asleep and Lauren wakes him. She says he’s going to get them killed and she’ll take the watch. His pride won’t allow this.

They are now on US 101. They stop at a commercial water station. Lauren says her father called the thugs hanging out at these stations “coyotes.” They see one grab water from a small mixed-race family. The coyote runs towards Lauren, so she trips him. She returns the water to the man traveling with a woman and child.

They are now at the ocean, which none of them have seen before. Lauren asks the others if they mind her asking the family, who has remained close to them, to join them. The family is suspicious. Lauren feels they are natural allies.