Unwind: Chapter 11 Summary & Analysis

Connor knows they have to be in town to get food and information, but it makes him nervous. He finds a newspaper and they flip through it to see if it mentions them. They find an article about the pileup on the interstate, but it doesn’t mention them. Both Lev and Risa are confused, since the news always mentions Unwinds, but Connor shouts that this is a gift—no report means no pictures. Connor struggles to keep his temper under control, but he knows that Risa will realize this is a good thing. Instead, Risa suggests that the cops might want them dead, which will be easier if nothing gets out. She asks if Lev’s parents may have paid off the police to kill his kidnappers, which Lev considers.

They see a police car turn onto the street and hear a baby cry out. Connor wants to run, but Risa grabs him. Instead of going with his first thought, he thinks ahead and realizes that running will draw attention. He looks around and suggests that they head for the bus stop, where other kids their age are gathered. Lev is unwilling to go, but the bus rounds the corner. He walks across the street as Connor yells that he’ll get a detention for being late. Risa assures Lev that they won’t board the bus, but its lights begin to flash, and the cop car stops where the cop can see kids loading. They have to get on.

Connor becomes suddenly aware of the crying baby, which is on the porch by the bus stop. He knows the baby was storked and stops. Risa yells at Connor, but just then, the door of the house opens and a small kid yells to his mother that they’ve been storked again. Connor tells himself that this isn’t the same baby, but he bolts for the porch, grabs the baby, and Risa tells the mother in the house that the baby is hers. The woman taunts Connor and Risa as Risa gathers the wailing infant. Connor feels hopeless, helpless, and broken.