Two days after their previous encounter, the characters reach a tidal flow where a bridge has collapsed into the moving water. They take a moment to sit on the remnants of the embankment, observing how the river interacts with the broken structure, providing a scene of both beauty and desolation. The boy gazes into the landscape beyond the water, suggesting a moment of reflection amidst their journey.
Curious and perhaps seeking reassurance, the boy asks his father what they should do next. This question underscores their uncertainty and the dire circumstances they face. The father's response, or lack thereof, emphasizes the weight of their situation and the challenges they continue to navigate in a post-apocalyptic world.