The Bell

The following day, Toby feels an overwhelming urge to talk to Michael, but he seems to be ignoring him. Toby has spent the previous night feeling shock, then disgust and fear, and finally as if nothing too bad took place. In the morning, he again feels disgust, but it’s obscure and directed at himself, ultimately morphing into the need to see Michael alone.

Michael has spent the night pondering Nick and feeling as if he cheated on him with Toby, though he is aware of the strange nature of his feelings. Toby at first is of less significance to him, but as he begins to imagine what the boy must be feeling, he also starts feeling an urge to speak to him alone. He fights it and vows to wait, but during the course of the day he changes his mind and invites the boy to the woods to observe the nightjar birds that they mentioned on their previous walk. Toby eagerly comes, and Michael apologizes to him and claims that the occurrence is rare and will not happen again. Toby thanks him, and they remain standing in the darkening woods, holding hands. Michael experiences a sense of déjà vu, recalling his time with Nick.