Hell of a Book

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes depictions of anti-Black police violence.

Soot and his mother are at the psychiatrist’s office. The psychiatrist is a thin woman with dark hair. She smiles at Soot. Soot’s mother explains that he hallucinates many things, including his father. The psychiatrist takes notes. His mother explains that Soot claims to be doing things with his father. She is anxious and fidgety. The psychiatrist asks to speak to Soot alone; his mother gives him a kiss and leaves. The psychiatrist proposes the two of them sit on some beanbags. Soot confirms for her that he is seeing things. In that moment, Soot sees a small, black tree with white flowers that has grown in the corner of the office since they arrived. It continues sprouting new blossoms. The psychiatrist asks what his father talks to him about when they spend time together. The tree grows, breaking through the walls and floor. Soot explains that his father tells him to take care of himself and not to be afraid. Soot doesn’t want to talk about his dead father with the psychiatrist anymore. He wants to run and climb up into the tree.