Alex traces the trouble to Len’s ambition to move up under dealer Eitan Shafir. Eitan’s kinsman Ariel arrives in Los Angeles, exuding barely contained violence and swiftly becoming the center of attention at parties. Despite Alex’s warnings that Ariel is dangerous, Len courts Ariel’s approval and takes a risky fentanyl package to prove himself.

On the night Ariel plans to “slum” at their apartment, Ground Zero, Alex and Hellie flee toward the West Side rather than be part of Ariel’s entertainment. They idle around UCLA and a movie theater, but Hellie quietly slips away, texts that she has “figured it out,” and returns to the party without Alex.

After selling the last of her weed to get home, Alex returns to Ground Zero, cleans up in the bathroom, and collapses in a back bedroom. Hellie comes to her, giggling and repeating “no,” seemingly high and freshly showered. Hours later, Alex wakes to find Hellie’s body blue and cold on the mattress—and Hellie’s ghost beside her. Alex begs her to return as visions flash: Hellie’s childhood, surfing, and Ariel’s fingers jammed into her mouth.

Len storms in, silences Alex, and—along with Betcha—decides to dump Hellie’s body in an alley to avoid police and Eitan’s wrath. Ariel, half-asleep on the couch, giggles when he realizes Hellie is dead. As Len and Betcha try to carry Hellie out, Alex locks the door, reaches out to Hellie’s ghost, and invites her in with a silent plea: stay with me.

Hellie rushes into Alex, filling her with strength and rage. Alex picks up Len’s bat and attacks without hesitation. She smashes Len’s skull, cripples Betcha and kills him, then chases Ariel, who cowers in fear as Alex, glowing, beats him until the bat breaks. She splits the bat and continues through the apartment, killing the other sleeping men.

Spent but guided by Hellie’s will, Alex puts on Hellie’s pink jelly shoes and walks to the Los Angeles River at dawn. In the cold, foul water she washes away blood and casts off the bat fragments, then returns to Ground Zero. She and Hellie position Hellie’s body back on the mattress and lie down together as Alex pleads for Hellie to stay.

By morning, paramedics are shining a light in Alex’s eyes and Hellie is gone. The chapter ends with the irretrievable loss of Hellie and the revelation of Alex’s violent retribution, fueled by possession, that followed Hellie’s death.