The House at the End of the World

Katie sits in the kitchen, watching the fox sleep and contemplating how her house has become alien and threatening to her. Then, she hears the uncanny whispering again and discovers that it is coming from the sink drain, leading her to believe that whatever has invaded the cellar may be making its way into the pipes. She fetches gasoline and thinks about flushing out the heavy steel pipes with fire.

Libby sprints through lightning and rain to the boathouse, knowing that Sarah is dead behind her. She plans to take the boat off of Oak Haven but realizes, once she’s in the boathouse, that Sarah has the keys in her pocket.

Katie rethinks lighting her pipes on fire, opting for Clorox bleach and drain cleaner instead. When she opens the drain to pour the chemicals down, however, the voices become beseeching and loving. The fox leaps up and bites her hand, and Katie realizes that, without knowing it, she has responded to the call, left the kitchen, and walked to the cellar door.