After The First Death

Kate wakes to twilight and realizes she needs to act before it gets dark. She sits in the driver’s seat and rehearses the steps of driving away while she waits for Miro to take one of his breaks outside. When he doesn’t, she asks him to open the door because it’s hot. He does and after a pause, steps outside. Kate closes him out and starts the bus, the motor “sounding eager and confident” (157). She makes it about 40 feet before the bus stalls.

Artkin and Miro gain access to the bus. While Artkin searches Kate for another key, Miro tries and fails to give the children the rest of the drugged candy. When he’s done with his search, Artkin tells Kate to tend to the children and then chastises Miro for his failure. Miro listens, feeling ashamed. Artkin says the only thing that saved Miro is that Artkin also neglected to search Kate earlier, and Miro is left to wonder “Saved me from what?” (166).

Night falls, and the children sleep without the influence of drugs. Each lost in thought, Kate and Miro contemplate their situations. Kate treasures being alive and alert, and Miro ponders the emotions he suddenly feels. Sometime later, he falls asleep and wakes to Kate apologizing close by. Appealing to Miro is her last hope, and even if she fails, she has to try because “trying was better than sitting here in the dark, doing nothing” (171).

Later, Artkin summons Miro to the van. The Americans claim they captured the leader behind the operation. Though there is no proof, the leader missed his midnight signal to the van, which means he may truly be in custody. A radio communication comes in, and Artkin asks for a specific stone from the leader’s hotel room to be delivered as proof. In the fresh air of morning, Miro returns to the bus with “a freshening, too, in Miro’s heart” (177).

Miro takes over bus duty from another of the hijackers. The man steps out onto the bridge and lights his flashlight, only to be shot by one of the snipers. Artkin arrives and explains to Miro that the shot was a mistake. One of the snipers pulled the trigger by reflex. Though Artkin believes this, one of the children must die to show that even accidents will not be stood for.

Artkin chooses Raymond. Kate protests, and Miro restrains her. Right before Artkin leads Raymond from the bus, Kate begs him to “take me instead” (183). Artkin refuses, and Kate feels shame at her relief. A bit later, she hears a gunshot and knows Raymond is dead.