Jinjoo and her friends listen to the sounds of the market in Incheon, South Korea. They watch as hundreds of foreigners are loaded into an American freighter at the dock. Her friends talk about President Rhee, making jokes because their parents complain about the man and his corruption.

The friends speculate about why all the Americans and foreigners are leaving Incheon. Her friend Taemin laughs and says that the Reds are invading. He is angrily scolded by his friends, who warn him about making such jokes. Jinjoo gets a bad feeling.

The chapter begins with the announcement that North Korea has invaded and Seoul has fallen. Local Communists and sympathizers celebrate in the streets of Incheon.

North Korean soldiers take over Incheon. Jinjoo returns home one day to find their home has been ransacked. Everything is smashed, and soldiers have taken all their food, leaving them with nothing. Food becomes scarce, though her father’s business is doing well enough to provide food to survive.

The maid who lives with Jinjoo’s family takes food from the small children when no one is looking. Jinjoo stops her angrily when she sees. Her parents do not see the maid’s actions, and Jinjoo’s mother scolds Jinjoo for lack of respect.