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Andy is the primary protagonist of the novel, and except for the epilogue, all of the chapters that are set in the present day are told from her perspective. At the beginning of the novel, Andy is in many ways a typical young adult, who struggles to find motivation and purpose, works an unsatisfying job, and worries about disappointing her parents. Though she returns to her hometown in Georgia to care for her mother through her treatment for cancer, the fact that Andy stays in her mother’s house long after treatment has ended suggests that she is hiding from the “adult” world. Because she is afraid of failing, she makes little effort to pursue her goals. In the early chapters of the novel, Andy shuts down when confronted with anything surprising, uncomfortable, or dangerous. Her frequent inability to speak in difficult moments reflects her broader tendency to withdraw when faced with a challenge.
After the shooting at the diner, however, a dramatic chain of events forces Andy to leave her safe but stagnant life and to truly push herself for the first time. On the road, Andy finds herself fighting for her own survival, relying on her own skills and instincts, and she discovers an inner strength that she did not know she possessed. Though many of the dramatic events that follow are painful and unexpected to her, they nevertheless provide Andy with the opportunity for personal growth. Unable to contact her mother and facing unknown enemies, she is forced to make quick decisions and commit to a course of action. Though her choices occasionally bring her closer to danger, she nevertheless gains a sense of independence and personal strength as she travels across the nation. Though her initial plan is simply to follow her mother’s directions and escape from any criminals who might be after her, she later takes the initiative to uncover the secret of her mother’s mysterious past.
