The character of Jacqui in Dry suddenly appears in Laguna when Alyssa, Garrett, and Kelton are involved in trying to prevent a car theft. Her aggressive manner disturbs the three friends, but they must admit that she saved their lives. When the four of them arrive at Kelton’s house, her presence creates tension with Richard, Kelton’s father, who is hyper-vigilant about conserving their resources. She flees with them to escape the mob that attacks the house. As they endure numerous hardships together, she becomes an integral part of the group and her hard edges soften somewhat.

Jacqui’s backstory is not completely revealed, but the reader learns that she was a few years ahead of Alyssa and Kelton in their same high school. By the time the three of them meet her, she has apparently been on her own for a while and witnessed the horrific fights over water in Laguna.

When she appears in the middle of a dangerous event, however, they know nothing about her. The situation is already tense, as three strange boys are trying to steal a man’s car. At the point Jacqui steps up, it looks like one boy is going to shoot them.

Jacqui’s actions most likely save their lives, as she grabs a gun and threatens to shoot the other boy. However, she does this in order to get the car keys from Alyssa. When it seems like she will not give them a ride home, the tension escalates. Although she relents, Alyssa is particularly nervous about her potentially violent behavior.

Another layer of tension is added by her mere presence in Kelton’s home. His father, Richard, initially seems unwillingly to make good on Kelton’s offer of giving Jacqui antibiotics for her injury. Richard’s attitude of extreme caution about keeping the family’s resources for themselves foreshadows the later problems he causes.