As night approaches, Selena grows increasingly anxious. When Selena rises to make tea, she notices that the dark figures have returned. Grandma Billy warns her to stay back and shoots the first figure that appears at the front door. She opens the door again, encounters a second figure, and shoots it as well. They then move to the back door, which sticks, forcing Selena to open it before Grandma Billy shoots the third figure. Afterward, they scan the area but see no additional figures. Outside, they collect what remains of the attackers and discover owl skins and empty cloaks. Grandma Billy explains that the creatures are fetches and insists that they must be taken to Father Aguirre to be burned.

They load the remains into a wheelbarrow, which Selena pushes as they walk into town. Startled by the sounds of nocturnal desert animals, Selena admits that she “hates” the situation, a statement Grandma Billy appreciates because Selena is no longer dismissing the experience as “crazy.” Selena tries to prepare a conversational script for what lies ahead but realizes that she has none and will have to rely on instinct instead. She reflects that Walter would not have managed the situation as well as she has. Grandma Billy reassures Selena that she is handling events properly, telling her that she has been “behaving correctly,” which surprises Selena. When Selena hears something following them, Grandma Billy acknowledges its presence but says it is friendly.

They arrive at the church and wheel the remains inside, where they wait for Father Aguirre. He examines the fetches, and Selena notes the incongruity that some of the fabric sewn to the owl skins is made of rayon. Distressed, Selena asks whether someone in town sent the fetches after her, but Father Aguirre argues that the source is unlikely to be human. As they discuss who might be responsible and why, Grandma Billy and Father Aguirre argue mildly over Grandma Billy’s suitability for priesthood. 

Both suggest that they may know the culprit but hesitate to name them, though they note that a bird spirit could easily hide a pinfeather among the owl skins. When Selena insists that she be told who is responsible, crying, “You have to tell me who it is […] So I can fix it!” (134), Grandma Billy admits that she believes the fetches were sent by Snake-Eater, one of Amelia’s “strays.” She describes him as “prickly” and reveals that Amelia was romantically involved with him.

The three share a strong drink while discussing what to do next. Father Aguirre states that he will burn the fetches. Grandma Billy explains that Snake-Eater is a day creature and likely resorted to fetches because he cannot act at night. Together, they agree to help Selena devise a plan to resolve the “misunderstanding” with Snake-Eater.

Selena wakes in the church and identifies a cross hanging nearby as having been made from a cholla cactus. She dresses before allowing herself to recall the events of the previous night. Many details remain indistinct, a pattern that reminds her of how her memory functioned while she was going through her mother’s death. Selena accepts the gaps without distress, feeling that forgetting is permissible.

Exiting the room, Selena joins Father Aguirre as he prepares breakfast. She asks further questions about spirits, and he explains that they can emerge from collections of things, though he admits that he does not fully understand their origins. When Selena asks whether this implies that groups of roadrunners might be upset with her, Father Aguirre doubts it, though he admits that he would not want to “tangle” with a roadrunner. When Selena confesses that she does not feel as though she has a soul, Father Aguirre responds, “Fortunately, some things stay true whether we believe in them or not” (143).

Grandma Billy soon joins them, having returned home to check on her chickens and Selena’s house. She appears irritable when Selena expresses concern, prompting Selena to apologize. Grandma Billy explains that her mood stems from lingering frustration with Snake-Eater, against whom she has long held a grudge. Selena gathers the courage to ask both Father Aguirre and Grandma Billy to return to Jackrabbit Hole House with her. They agree.

The house appears unchanged, and Copper settles comfortably on the porch. Selena feels relief at seeing the house again and recognizes that it now feels like home, though her awareness of the supernatural dangers present complicates this realization. As Selena moves through the house, she overhears Father Aguirre and Grandma Billy whispering about her. She rejoins them after discovering a large scorpion, which she takes outside. There, she encounters a roadrunner and apologizes aloud. Grandma Billy argues that Snake-Eater should be the one apologizing. Selena continues addressing the bird, which watches her, approaches, bows, and then runs away. Grandma Billy agrees to stay the night, while Father Aguirre departs.

While it is still light, Grandma Billy later returns to her own house for several hours, reluctant to leave Selena but aware that her presence might provoke further hostility from Snake-Eater. Left alone, Selena makes tea and reflects on her situation. She hopes that her apology has resolved the conflict and realizes that she wants to remain in Quartz Creek, questioning what she would return to elsewhere. She concludes that she, Copper, and the house will all be happier if she stays.

Grandma Billy arrives before nightfall, carrying a pitcher of mojitos and several blankets. As they sit together on the porch, she asks Selena about Walter. Selena explains that Walter initially helped her escape her mother’s controlling and abusive behavior but that their relationship later deteriorated. While discussing what it is like to live with a man, Selena is surprised when Grandma Billy reveals that her marriage to Billy took place before her transition. Selena, previously unaware of Grandma Billy’s assigned sex at birth, worries that she may have said something offensive, but Grandma Billy reassures her, noting that Selena has caused no offense apart from criticizing her rooster.

Selena describes how Walter changed after they began living together. He increasingly undermined her confidence, insisting that she was socially inept and frequently offended others. Selena acknowledges that Walter had redeeming qualities and was never physically violent but explains that after she experienced a mental health crisis—crying for several days—his behavior became more controlling and demeaning. Following her mother’s death, Selena traveled to handle the funeral arrangements and found the distance from Walter clarifying. She used the remaining funds to travel to Quartz Creek, having found Amelia’s address on an old postcard. Selena quit her job, sent Walter an email explaining her departure, turned off her phone, and left. 

Grandma Billy and Selena go to bed after talking, and the night passes without incident. The following morning, Selena takes Copper outside and joins Grandma Billy on the back porch. Selena hears a voice ask, “Are you here to take her place?” (158), but she cannot locate its source. Grandma Billy dismisses the incident. Selena briefly considers fatigue or hallucination as explanations but does not dwell on them. Grandma Billy returns home, and the remainder of the day passes quietly. Selena continues tending to daily tasks, including relocating another scorpion that has wandered inside the house.

After dinner, Selena listens to the radio and reads more of Amelia’s journals. She finds references to someone identified only as “S,” who she assumes is Snake-Eater. Searching further, she finds additional brief entries describing S’s loneliness and anxiety. In the final journal, Amelia notes her increasing fatigue and records Grandma Billy’s advice that she see a doctor. As Selena prepares for bed, planning to visit Grandma Billy to borrow novels, she realizes that she has experienced an entirely ordinary day.