Late one cool, sleepless September night, Theo leaves his room and walks down to the Riverwalk, drawn by the river’s quiet movement and the way it seems both gentle and unstoppable. Standing by the water, Theo lets his thoughts settle as he watches faint light shimmer across the surface.

As Theo turns south to continue walking, the total silence makes him jump when a lone, dark-clothed figure approaches from the shadows. Remembering warnings about being alone at night, Theo freezes and panics until the man speaks and reveals himself as Kendrick, who scolds Theo for being out so late and warns that people under the bridge can be dangerous.

They sit at a nearby bench, and Theo learns Kendrick is on a break from cleaning the university offices. Kendrick explains he came to the Riverwalk to think because he and Lamisha had a difficult day in court related to the crash that injured Lamisha. The state is pursuing charges against the driver, and the prosecutor wanted the judge to see Lamisha’s injury and hear how the accident changed their lives.

Kendrick recounts how the driver—an older, very small man from Guatemala who cannot speak English—appeared terrified and began crying when told Lamisha was the child he hurt. The man explains he had lived and worked in Fincher County for years, was deported, then returned illegally because his eight-year-old daughter is seriously ill and he believed Guatemala lacked adequate cancer care. He drove nights to avoid detection, grew exhausted near Golden, and hit Lamisha; after hospitalization he was jailed, and he still has not seen his daughter in over a year.

Kendrick wrestles with what justice should look like, since the crash also killed Lamisha’s mother and the driver had no legal status, license, or insurance. Asked what to tell the district attorney the next day, Theo advises Kendrick to speak what he believes is right and to be as kind as possible. Kendrick, still burdened by the decision and Lamisha’s worry for the driver and his daughter, insists on walking Theo back so Theo will not be alone again.