Lilith Iyapo awakes alone in a colorless, almost barren room. Lilith has Awakened many times before, though she cannot remember exactly how many times. Each time, there is usually a bathroom available to her, along with a bowl of lumpy food of unrecognizable flavor set out on a platform. There are no doors or windows or any discernible way out. This time, Lilith is pleased to discover clothing next to the food bowl for the first time. The room is more dimly lit than it has been in the past.

As she closes the jacket-like garment, Lilith touches the scar across her abdomen that appeared between her second and third Awakenings. She has no idea what was done to her to cause the scar, or why. Lilith eats the bland food and then initiates “the oldest and most futile of her activities: a search for some crack, some sound of hollowness, some indication of a way out of her prison” (7).

The chapter describes Lilith’s experiences since her mysterious confinement began. During each Awakening, Lilith has called out, screamed, and beat the walls, but there is never any response. Occasionally, a disembodied voice, from no apparent speaker, asks her questions about herself, such as how old she is and whether she has been married.