All In

An unidentified killer, described as “you,” contemplates their obsession with counting, order, and meticulous planning. They believe that anything can be quantified, from the strands of a girl’s hair to the number of breaths she has left. They reflect on their intricate plans for the girl and the person they are destined to become, viewing numbers as a principle for organizing their actions.

The story begins on New Year’s Eve, with Cassie at family dinner. She has been away from her grandmother’s warm and loving house, which she now calls home, for six months with the Naturals, a fact she hides from her family. The dinner is interrupted by her estranged father, Vincent Battaglia, who tells her there is news about her mother.

On the porch, Cassie’s father confirms that a body, presumed to be her mother’s, has been found. He offers Cassie a silver necklace with a red stone discovered with the body, which she recognizes. Citing evidence protocol, Cassie refuses to take it. She remembers her mother’s recurring phrase, “no matter what” (14), which was their secret code for “I love you.” Determined to solve the case, Cassie resolves to ask Agent Briggs for full access. Four days later, Judd arrives to take her back to the program, and Cassie says an emotional goodbye to her grandmother.