Where the Lost Wander

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of rape.

Chapter 16 begins in Naomi’s perspective as she staggers along behind her captors, carrying Wolfe. The attackers have taken Gert, the goat, and when they stop for their animals to drink, Naomi feeds goat milk to Wolfe. They reach a camp at sunset, and one of the attack party takes Wolfe from Naomi and gives him to a woman. A man drags Naomi away by the hair.

The point of view shifts to John, who can follow a faint trail of animal prints and Naomi’s footprints. He finds one of her sketches and knows he is on the right track.

The perspective shifts back to Naomi as she awakens the next morning. The man who dragged her by her hair took her to his lodge, where he shoved her into a corner and an old woman brought her water and a blanket. Now the old woman leads her toward a stream as the others break camp. Naomi wades into the water and washes herself and her clothes, which are bloody from her menstrual period.

She mimics holding a baby to ask where Wolfe is, but the old woman forces her arms to her sides, shaking her head.