Chapter 1.
In the first chapter, young David Strorm is introduced. In the first paragraph he describes a recurring dream that he remembers vividly. This dream is of a magnificent city bordered by ocean, although he has never seen the sea in waking life. Once, he recalls admitting this dream to his eldest sister and inquires about the existence of any such place, to which she replies that, although this city does not exist, it may have existed long ago, before God sent Tribulation
Chapter 2.
After meeting Sophie, David returns to his home in the fiercely religious society of Waknuk. The reader acquires a sense of the background from which David’s genealogy stems. His home is one of the eldest in the village and is decorated with multiple proverbs and quotes from ancient religious volumes such as the “Repentances” and the Bible, which are carved and burned into wood. We learn that David’s father, Joseph Strorm, is a prominent and devout community leader amongst the villagers
Chapter 3.
In the beginning of chapter 3, we see that David has established a regular routine out of visiting Sophie. Once Sophie’s foot is completely healed, he brings her to one of the interesting sights in the county of Waknuk; the steam engine. Sophie is amazed and this brings forth mild debate about the technological advancements the Old People owned. Once David brings Sophie back home, David sees Mr. Wender, Sophie’s father. We learn that there is visible tension between John and David, David believes that these feeling steam from the fact that Mr. Wender does not trust him
Chapter 4.
On one occasion, when David is not visiting Sophie, he sits in the yard talking with his half-cousin Rosalind; this conversation however is not an ordinary one. David is speaking to her with his mind (telepathically) while she is at home on her own family farm. Uncle Axel, the farm handyman, comes across young David speaking to what seems as nobody. This strikes him as odd and he decides to question the boy. David explains that he is able to speak to certain people through his mind
Chapter 5.
The following spring proves to be relatively “Deviance-free”. The village of Waknuk breaks the local “Purity record”. David often sneaks away to be with Sophie (David’s parents know nothing about her). They much enjoy fishing for shrimps in a secluded stream. David pursues a catch barefoot and eventually coaxes Sophie to do the same, despite her deformity. On one particular occasion, the pair are surprised by the son of the local blacksmith, Allan. David is made uneasy by his presence. Allan inquires as to who the young girl is (for Sophie has had minimal contact with other children) - and then notices something peculiar. On a rock, there is a wet footprint with the imprint of an extra toe
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