Ed and Joe continue to search but find no evidence at the scene.

Pa introduces Kya to an older Black man named Jumpin' who sells gas on the wharf, then takes her to a restaurant, where customers rudely point out they are barefoot. After a big dinner, Kya waits outside while Pa pays the bill.

Four days after Chase Andrews’ death, Ed and Joe receive a lab report showing “negative data.” Other than the time of death, there is no evidence. Ed and Joe believe this proves Chase’s death was a murder, and the scene was cleaned up. At the diner, Ed and Joe hear everyone gossiping about who the murderer may be. Miss Pansy Price suspects “that woman lives out in the marsh.”

Kya, in the shack, thinks about Tate and about her increasing solitude. Pa eventually returns, and Kya makes a meal for him. The next morning, Pa and Kya in go in Pa's boat to go fishing.

Pa tells Kya he will be gone for four days, trying to get more disability money. While he is gone, Kya takes out Pa’s small fishing boat. She navigates it through the channels to the sea and encounters one of Jodie’s old friends fishing. When Kya gets lost, the boy, Tate Walker, guides her back to her channel. Later, Tate helps his father Scupper Walker unload the catch from his fishing boat and make dinner. Tate thinks with sadness and guilt about his mother and sister, who are not with them. Scupper reads a poem at dinner, and later Tate reads a poem for class that reminds him of Kya.

Culpepper, the local truant officer, comes to take Kya to school, calling her by her real name, Catherine Danielle Clark. Kya wants to learn and get the free lunch. At school, Kya is assigned to second grade, but the school secretary says that “swamp children” never attend school for long.

Culpepper, the local truant officer, comes to take Kya to school, calling her by her real name, Catherine Danielle Clark. Kya wants to learn and get the free lunch. At school, Kya is assigned to second grade, but the school secretary says that “swamp children” never attend school for long.

Two boys, Benji and Steve, who discover Chase Andrews' body, ride their bikes to get the sheriff. Usually Sheriff Ed Jackson of Barkley Cove doesn't bother with crimes in the marsh or swamp, but Chase Andrews is a well-known local man and a former high school star quarterback.

One by one, Kya's siblings, Missy, Murph, Mandy, and Jodie fall victim to Pa's beatings and leave home. Jodie tells Kya to hide from Pa and others who come to the house. When they are out of food, Pa gives Kya a dollar a week to take care of herself and the house.

Chapter one begins the story in August 1952 and centers around the protagonist Kya who is six years old and lives in a shack with her Ma, Pa, and four older siblings. While Kya is used to her Ma leaving the shack to bring back meat such as chicken, on this day, her mother disappears and does not return.