Escaping the Giant Wave

The glowing eyes in the darkness belong to Pansy, Norm and Josie’s dog. She doesn’t have her leash and it seems as though Norm and Josie let Pansy go, either to save the dog or to send her to help Kyle and BeeBee. They continue traveling further inland and Kyle feels as if he is in a nightmare, “the kind where [he knows he’s] in danger and it’s imperative to run away, but [he] can’t seem to make [his] legs work” (112). Suddenly, Pansy starts shaking and barking the same way she did before the first wave hit. Kyle searches for safety before the second wave and the group stands behind a large cedar tree. Together, they make a “dog sandwich” with BeeBee being closest to the tree and Kyle holding them all together (114).

They hear the wave approaching and it is larger than the first wave. The wave crests before it reaches them and the water reaches their ankles before receding. BeeBee asks how many waves there will be, but Kyle doesn’t know the answer. As they look around at the aftermath, they find the sign for the Totem Pole Inn in the forest with them.