Willodeen runs into town to tell Connor about her discovery, but before she finds him, she notices a fire on the hill with the train tracks. Memories from the fire that took her family make Willodeen freeze in fear, but she realizes she doesn’t want to run away because Mae, Birdie, Duuzuu, and Quinby need her. This thought gets her to move, and she runs back toward the cottage, “where everything I needed and loved could be found” (210).

Willodeen finds Mae, Birdie, and Duuzuu in front of the cottage. As soon as they smelled the smoke, they came to look for her. With a jolt, they realize the house door and yard gate are open; Willodeen frantically searches for Quinby, only to find she is gone. She runs back out to look for the screecher and Connor. Mae and Birdie are clearly afraid to let her go, but they don’t object. Willodeen grabs two buckets to help put out the fire, and when she reaches the gate she turns back to yell “I love you” (214).