Scar Island

Sebastian and his boys tie up Patrick. He pleads with the boys to let him go. He explains that he came out to the island to save them all from drowning. Patrick warns them that the storm is a monstrous category five hurricane with a huge storm surge that “could wash this whole place away!” (201).

Sebastian dismisses Patrick’s warning, but Jonathan, remembering what the librarian told him, backs up his claim: “It’s true. This place is crumbling. The island is getting smaller. There used to be a beach and everything” (202). Jonathan points out that the bottom floor is already underwater. Sebastian is still unconvinced of the danger.

Colin, who is being restrained on a table, begs Sebastian not to cut him with the sword. Sebastian responds, “I was never gonna cut you. […] I was just trying to scare you” (203). He says he has another punishment planned for Colin.

Sebastian and his henchmen take Colin to a dark, windowless room in a desolate section of the building where the rats are numerous. They tie Colin to a chair and sprinkle bits of crackers and cheese on him. Sebastian says, “You wanted to sneak around and steal like a little rat. Fine. […] You get to spend the night with the rats […] You should have lots of little friends tonight” (105).

The boys return to the dining room and discover the floor is covered with an inch of water. Since their mattresses are in the dining room, they wonder where they will sleep.

Sebastian sends Jonathan and Gregory to put coal in the furnace and to give Patrick a piece of bread to eat. While shoveling coal in the furnace room, Jonathan hears a loud crash. The water, which had been trickling, begins to pour down the stairs. Jonathan and Gregory run back up to the dining room, which is “in chaos” (211). The windows have all blown out and the door has blown off, opening the room to the rain and wind. The wind has extinguished all the candles, leaving the room in darkness.

They hear a “thunderous bang” (212). Jonathan goes to investigate and discovers that the Hatch has opened.

The boys assess the dire situation that the storm has created. Jonathan insists that they must rescue Colin, who is tied up in a lower part of the building. Sebastian says if they try to save Colin, they will drown because the Hatch is open.

Jonathan decides he will go to rescue Colin on his own. Some of the other boys try to talk him out of it, believing the rescue attempt is suicidal. Sebastian agrees to give him a lantern.

Before he leaves, Jonathan remembers Patrick and says they need to get him out of the coal room. Sebastian agrees to send two boys to release Patrick. Walter wishes Jonathan good luck.