Twenty-Two

Summary

• The protagonist, JuniperSong, continues to be taunted by daily posts on Athena's Instagram account, including impossible photos of Athena alive and well alongside items that are date-specific, suggesting the images are recent. Athena's posts are tagged to JuniperSong and seem to mock her death.
• JuniperSong tries to avoid the posts by muting Athena's account and locking her phone away during writing breaks. She struggles to focus on her work as she is constantly reminded of Athena and her death. The memories of their relationship, good and bad, are all tainted by guilt.
• Athena frequently appears in her dreams, sometimes dead and choking, sometimes reanimated and vengeful. JuniperSong also starts imagining ways Athena could still be alive, despite knowing her funeral was closed casket.
• JuniperSong becomes obsessed with researching Chinese ghosts, looking for ways to exorcise Athena's apparition. She learns about several tropes in Chinese literature on the theme of death and unrest, but none seem to provide a feasible solution to her problem.
• Despite her struggle, JuniperSong continues to write her book, hoping she can trap Athena within its covers. She struggles to find an ending for the book that would satisfy Athena.
• Athena's account makes another disturbing post featuring her standing in front of a mirror with the title "The Last Front, By Juniper Hayward" taped to her forehead. More images follow, each one becoming more horrifying. JuniperSong becomes convinced that Athena is no longer a figment of her imagination, but a genuine threat.
• JuniperSong realizes that in order to get rid of Athena's ghost, she must admit that Athena was the original author of The Last Front, possibly leaving JuniperSong as a coauthor, an acknowledgment she is reluctant to make as it would cost her everything she has gained so far.
• In an attempt to confront the ghost, JuniperSong chases after a woman who appears to be Athena, only to discover it's not Athena but Diana Qiu, a literary rival. JuniperSong accuses Diana of posing as Athena, causing a scene and unsettling Diana.
• Following the incident with Diana Qiu, JuniperSong tries to get help; however, her former therapist, Dr. Gaily, is unable to set an immediate appointment due to JuniperSong’s move. Dr. Gaily agrees to email JuniperSong referrals for other therapists.
• Athena's Instagram account posts again, showing her sitting in the same booth JuniperSong was sitting in at Saxby's during her confrontation with Diana Qiu. JuniperSong decides to confront the ghost directly by replying to the Instagram post; the response she receives suggests a physical confrontation with Athena is imminent.