Chapter 42
Contains spoilersOverview
Nina, still debilitated, follows running water to find Cecelia unconscious in a rapidly filling tub. Police intervene, remove Cecelia, and observe signs of drugging. Misreading the scene as an attempted drowning, they accuse Nina, plan to notify Andrew, and transport both mother and daughter to the hospital.
Summary
Nina wakes groggy in the afternoon, still weak after two days without food and water. She hears running water behind the closed master bathroom door and, after seeing a string of concerned texts from Andrew, worries about Cecelia’s whereabouts. Barely able to stand, Nina crawls toward the bathroom, fearing what she will find.
Nina opens the door and discovers Cecelia lying unresponsive in the bathtub while the water rapidly rises toward her chin. Determined to save her daughter, Nina reaches for the faucet despite a commanding voice warning her not to move. She shuts off the water as strong hands pull her upright.
Uniformed officers remove Cecelia from the tub, and paramedics begin treatment. First responders remark that Cecelia appears drugged; Nina, slurring, agrees she has been drugged as well, believing Andrew is responsible. The responders place both Cecelia and Nina on stretchers.
A police officer shines a light in Nina’s eyes and asks why she was trying to drown her daughter, concluding Nina took drugs herself. Nina, disoriented, cannot explain. The officers decide to get both to the hospital and notify Andrew, believing they arrived just in time.
Who Appears
- Nina Winchester
Narrator; debilitated and disoriented, finds Cece in a filling tub and is accused by police of attempted drowning.
- Cecelia (Cece) Winchester
Young daughter; found unresponsive and apparently drugged in the bathtub; rescued and taken to the hospital.
- Responding police officers
Enter the bathroom, pull Cece from the tub, accuse Nina, and arrange transport while planning to notify Andrew.
- Andrew Winchester
Husband; sends concerned texts from work; police intend to call him after the incident.
- Paramedics
Stabilize and transport Cecelia and Nina after signs of drugging are observed.