Romiette and Julio

When Romi’s mother gets home from the boutique, she finds a note from Romi saying she and Julio went for a walk and would be home by 7:00 p.m. Romi and Julio are two hours late. Romi’s parents call Destiny, but Destiny’s mother says Destiny left hours ago with Ben. Frantic, Romi’s mother begins calling all of Romi’s friends, including Makala. Makala is the only one who answers, with hostility in her voice. She is only home to grab duct tape to use on Romi and Julio.

Destiny and Ben arrive at Romi’s parents’ front door with two police cars. Destiny tells Romi’s parents about the plan to incriminate the Devildogs. The police have already begun their search for the missing Romi and Julio.

When the police summon Julio’s parents to the station, Julio’s father Luis is quick to blame Romi, linking her race to gang activity.

When the Montagues get to the station, they meet the Cappelles. Despite the police captain’s attempt to lessen the tension by pointing out the similarities between their family names and the families in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the parents try to locate their children. The police captain assures Julio’s father that Romi is not a gang member and that the Devildogs likely targeted both the innocent Julio and Romi.

That night on the air, the Cappelles make a plea for any information about Romi and Julio. The station now acknowledges that their previous assessment of gangs in Cincinnati public schools needs to be reviewed. The mayor of Cincinnati, alerted to the missing teenagers, promises to form a task force to look into gangs. As the newscast ends, the meteorologist warns about a fast-approaching storm system.

The Cappelles fret, waiting for news about Romi. Romi’s father believes that if Romi had not gotten involved with Julio, none of this would have happened. Romi’s mother quickly defends Julio and suggests that their daughter is in love, reminding her husband that they were not much older when they fell in love. Outside, the storm brews.

Julio’s mother assures her husband that Julio is brave and resourceful and will come home. The phone rings. The police captain tells the Montagues that they located the Devildogs’ Cadillac and that the members in the car have been arrested. However, there is no sign of Julio or Romi.

Both the Montagues and Cappelles head to the police station. When they are asked to see if they can identify any of the arrested teenagers, Romi’s mother recognizes Malaka. The police decide to interrogate Malaka first.

At first, Malaka does not cooperate with the lead investigator. When the police tell her that she is facing jail time for kidnapping and gun possession, she dismisses their threats, as she is a juvenile. They assure her that this does not matter. Malaka then breaks down and says she only went along with the Devildogs’ plan because she wanted to be in a gang. She reveals that Romi and Julio were taken to a boathouse by London Woods Lake.

The police captain contacts the police who are still searching London Woods Park. These police officers check the boathouse, but there is no sign of Romi and Julio. However, they notice a boat missing from its mooring. As the storm picks up, they fear that the two might be adrift in the missing boat somewhere on the lake. The police decide to wait for the storm to pass. The Cappelles and Montagues comfort each other.

After Destiny and Ben left the Cappelles’ house, they headed back to London Woods Park to search for Romi and Julio. By then, the storm had begun. They wait for the lightning to lessen before continuing their search. They talk about Romi and Julio’s Romeo and Juliet parallels, fearful because Romeo and Juliet ultimately die. Destiny and Ben then head to the woods.

After Romi and Julio’s kidnapping (in Chapter 39), Romi, still blinded by a sweatshirt, cannot guess where they are. She feels her arms being tied behind her. She is then lifted and dropped into something wooden with a moldy smell and curved bottom. Romi realizes she has been placed in a small boat. She feels Julio next to her, but he makes no sound. She realizes the boat is being pushed out into the lake, mirroring her drowning dream. Romi fights her restraints and screams but is knocked out by a blow to the back of her head.

Slowly, Romi regains consciousness to a raging storm. She hears Julio, and the two free themselves from their head covers and restraints. Julio tells Romi that they have to escape—with all the lightning, the wooden boat is at risk. He assures her that he won’t let her go. The two climb over the side of the boat and slide into the dark lake. Suddenly, the boat is struck by lightning and set on fire. Romi’s hand slips out of Julio’s.

As Romi drowns, she hears Julio calling to her.

Julio repeatedly dives into the dark water, desperate to find Romi. He suddenly touches her and pulls her to the surface. The two struggle to shore, illuminated only by lightning. On the beach, the freezing Julio carries the limp Romi. He sees a fallen pine tree and decides they can nest in the branches until the storm ends. He carefully lowers Romi, covers her with branches, and lies down with her, hoping their body heat will keep them warm. Slowly, although he does not want to, Julio drifts into sleep.