Summery of chapter 22

In Chapter Twenty-two, Bouain shouts in a language Sophie doesn't understand. He then apparently realizes that it's only a girl, and they begin to talk in French. He asks for the identity of the person who sent Sophie, but Sophie doesn't answer.

Bouain tells the story of an attack on his village. He says there were many wild bonobos in the region before the attack. He describes a female bonobo that gave birth in a tree, labor apparently brought on by the attack. He says the adult chewed the umbilical cord, letting the baby drop to the ground, and ran away. Bouain says he wonders what happened to the baby and believes the rebel soldiers probably took it, just as they took Bouain. Sophie realizes that Bouain is associating Otto with that baby bonobo and says he and Otto are the same.

Sophie realizes that Bouain is superstitious and decides to play on that. She says she is a witch and that Otto is her “familiar.” She gives Otto the signal for “hug” and he rushes into her arms. Bouain is on alert and asks if Sophie can cure him of his disease, though he doesn't tell her the name of his affliction. Sophie says she has none of her “magic supplies” and that seems to satisfy Bouain. She says Otto can give Bouain magic that will shield him from danger. Bouain says he is already protected from bullets but agrees that another shield would be a good idea. She has Bouain close his eyes and tickles Otto so that he continually grunts while she chants “a magic spell.” Bouain's eyes close, and he is apparently falling asleep. Sophie notices that the back door of the restaurant is not locked.