24. The Fire Tower

Summary

• In this chapter, Kya and Chase continue their relationship although it's punctuated by Kya's hesitations and instances of distancing. Kya spots Chase again while out on her boat, noting his presence with his friends on the beach.
• Despite initial avoidance, Chase calls out to Kya, apologizes for their previous awkward encounter and encourages her to follow him to an abandoned fire tower in the marsh. Intrigued, Kya agrees and follows him to the tower through an overgrown path and into the true swamp.
• They climb the old and dilapidated tower, from where Kya sees an expansive view of the marsh she has never seen before. On the tower, Chase apologizes once again and expresses appreciation for Kya giving him another chance. Kya is softening towards him and gifts him a necklace she made.
• Requesting to see Kya’s home, she hesitates and responds with a vague comment about the distance. But eventually, she takes him to her house, an experience that stirs feelings of embarrassment for her due to the austere living conditions.
• Chase walks around Kya's home appreciating the simplicity and matches it with her ability to live alone. He assures Kya of his growing interest in her, expressing intrigue over her resilience and individuality in living in such conditions.
• They proceed to the beach where Kya impresses Chase with her relationship with the gulls, stirring more feelings of curiosity and desire within him. He makes a promise to respect her boundaries and asks if he can visit again the next day. Kya agrees, which gives her the first glimmer of hopeful feelings she's had since the loss of Tate, her previous love interest.