Lois Chasse's Parallel Awakening

Lois's own journey into the world of auras, her confrontation with her son, and her partnership with Ralph.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Lois's Insomnia Begins

A Shared Sleeplessness The Hidden Sufferer Lois Chasse, a widow living on Harris Avenue, begins to suffer from insomnia around the same time as Ralph. She wakes earlier each morning, just as he does. But she keeps her problem to herself, not wanting to be a burden or a subject of gossip. The Auras Appear Like Ralph, Lois begins to see auras – colored envelopes of light around people. She is terrified, thinking she is losing her mind. She goes to Dr Litchfield, who dismisses her concerns and calls her son Harold, suggesting she may be senile. This betrayal deepens her isolation. A Cry in the Park Ralph finds Lois crying in Strawford Park after a confrontation with her son and daughter-in-law, who want to put her in a retirement home. She confesses her fears about the auras. Ralph realizes they are experiencing the same phenomenon – hyper-reality. Their shared secret forges a bond between them.

Lois Discovers Her Powers

Learning to Fight Shooting Atropos When Atropos attacks Rosalie the dog in Strawford Park, Lois instinctively raises her finger and shoots a bolt of gray-blue energy at him, driving him off. She is shocked by her own power but also exhilarated. Ralph explains that they can draw energy from the auras of others. The Card Game Later, Lois plays poker with her friends and finds she can read their auras to know their cards. She wins easily, but feels guilty about using her power. She realizes that the ability to see auras is both a gift and a temptation. A New Partnership Lois becomes Ralph's partner in the fight against Atropos and Ed Deepneau. Her courage and quick thinking save them multiple times. She is no longer "Our Lois" – she is a force to be reckoned with.

Lois's Final Act

The Widow's Strength Trying to Stop Him When Ralph leaves to fulfill his promise, Lois tries to hold him back. She screams at him, begs him, but he is resolute. In desperation, she runs after him, but he is too fast. She watches him push Natalie out of the way and get hit by the car. The Vision As Ralph dies, Clotho and Lachesis place their hands on Lois's face, sharing a vision of Ralph's final gift: a dark barn split by light. She understands that he is at peace. The vision gives her strength to go on. Life After Ralph Lois lives on, carrying Ralph's memory. She keeps Rosalie the beagle and often sits on the porch, remembering their time together. She knows that their love was real and that Ralph's sacrifice saved a child's life. She is no longer afraid of the dark.

Early 1993, before Carolyn's death

Tuesday, October 5, 1993

August 1998, during Ralph's sacrifice