Cecilia Woodward is a researcher stationed along the central Oregon coast where she monitors sea stars for signs of wasting disease. It's her obsession - just like Adam. He arrived at the research station to study kelp forests. And even though he has a girlfriend, this doesn't stop Cecilia from fantasizing about him.
It doesn't stop her from combing the beaches, picking through flesh, or bones, or the rubbery limbs of decaying sea stars. The ocean is sick and she will do whatever it takes to save it.