Willodeen

Part 3 opens with another section from the screecher’s perspective. As she watches Willodeen approach, she smacks her tale against the ground, creating the odor the species is known for. She ponders how to react to Willodeen, wondering “[i]s this what it’s like to be alive?” (112).

In Chapter 20, Willodeen sees a screecher with the same notch in her ear and bow around her neck as Connor’s creation. Though those similarities are very coincidental, she can’t bring herself to believe that the creation came to life. Knowing the baby screecher will be killed by a hunter seeking a reward as soon as it’s found, Willodeen traps her in her coat and brings her home.

Willodeen does her best to avoid people because she feels protective about the creature, like “a parent must feel about a child” (122). On her way home, she passes near where Connor is helping set up for the fair. He apologizes for not standing up for her at the meeting. Willodeen starts to say it’s fine but is cut off by the screecher digging her claws into her neck, breaking free, and running off.