65 pages 2 hours read

Lois Lowry

Messenger

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2004

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Chapters 20-21

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 20 Summary

Kira uses her gift and can sense that Leader is near. While lying down to stop his nose from bleeding, Matty feels Frolic laying limply on his chest and believes that the dog is dead. He is sad that something so alive could become lifeless in such a short period and realizes that the same thing happened to Village. It used to be a peaceful, happy place, but it has become selfish and aggressive.

Kira’s gift meets Leader’s gift halfway, and they’re able to communicate. She tells him that they need him, and he tells her that Forest has trapped him. He tells Kira that it is time for Matty to use his gift. Though she can barely speak, Kira tells Matty that they need his gift. Matty doesn’t understand how his gift can help and gives up, rolling over with his hands in the dirt. His hands begin to vibrate and shimmer.

Chapter 21 Summary

Matty begins to evoke his gift and feels the lightning-like energy warming his blood and rushing through him then out of his hands and into the ground. He hears Kira’s breathing become steady, and he can see the vines that wrapped around Leader’s feet curl and retreat.