Parable of the Sower

Harry, Zahra, and Lauren are now on the 23, and they see a fire to the east of them, which reminds them of what they’ve lost. Lauren reflects that her “cold-bloodedness” bothers Harry, but he likes her verses. He distrusts her now, though. That night, when they set up camp, she hears Harry and Zahra having sex when they are supposed to be on watch duty. She is upset that no one is guarding them. After they finish, Harry falls asleep. Lauren wakes him and says he’s going to get them killed. She offers to take the watch, but his pride won’t allow it.

On US 101, they stop at a commercial water station. Lauren says her father called the thugs hanging out at these stations “coyotes.” They see one coyote grab water from a small mixed-race family. The coyote runs toward Lauren, so she trips him. She returns the water to the man traveling with a woman and child. The family remains close to Lauren’s group as they continue their journey.

They eventually reach the ocean, which none of them have seen before. Lauren asks Harry and Zahra if they mind her asking the family to join them.