In this chapter, a group of residents gathers on the beach to mourn the death of a beached humpback whale that was ensnared in a fishing net. The group includes Elspeth, John, Helen, Emma, Kia, Annie, and Maggie. They are joined by an oblivious and somewhat obnoxious woman named Jenna and her young son, Triston, who seem more interested in taking selfies with the dead whale than understanding the gravity of the situation. Despite the group’s attempt to observe a few minutes of silence in honor of the deceased whale, Jenna’s behavior and disregard for the solemnity of the moment frustrate them. The chapter ends with a sudden and unexpected disturbance as a wild-looking teenager rushes toward the group with an alarming growl, leaving everyone startled and curious about what will happen next.

In chapter two, the residents of the island find themselves facing a disturbing and chaotic situation involving a young man named Jacob. Jacob’s erratic and violent behavior escalates as he climbs onto a beached whale, mutilates its eye, and threatens the onlookers with a knife. Despite their fear, the residents attempt to reason with Jacob and urge him to stop while also calling for his father’s intervention. The tension and fear in the group mount as they watch Jacob’s unpredictable actions, and the arrival of his father, Sam, further complicates the situation. Sam appears dismissive of Jacob’s behavior and rejects offers of help from the concerned residents. The chapter ends with a chilling exchange between Elspeth and Sam, leaving the group deeply unsettled. As the chapter concludes, one of the residents, Maggie, is discovered to have a nosebleed, possibly a physical manifestation of the stress and fear they have experienced during this disturbing encounter with Jacob.

In this chapter, Jacob, driven by a deep desire to reunite with his deceased mother, becomes increasingly disillusioned with his father, Sam, and the people on the island. He recalls words from Coral Reef, an influential figure on the island, and begins to question the lack of love and connection in his life. Feeling that he deserves a loving mother just like others, he becomes determined to bring her back using a mysterious book he found called the “shadow book.” Jacob’s plan involves hiding in his bedroom, secretly waiting for his father to leave the house. As soon as Sam is out of sight, Jacob sneaks into his treehouse, which is a hidden vantage point overlooking the island. From here, he can observe the lives of the island residents, including the new kid, Kai, the twins, and the storeowner lady. Jacob’s growing resentment and anger intensify when he discovers that the storeowner lady has taken Izzy’s baby, whom Jacob believes she has no right to. Consumed by frustration and rage, he descends from the treehouse and begins to prepare for a sinister plan. In anger, he selects a bird from a cage and takes it to his workspace. The reader is left with a sense of foreboding as Jacob’s actions hint at his growing malevolence and the dark path he is set to embark upon.

In this chapter, Helen, the Admiral’s wife, is depicted as a lonely and somewhat forlorn character. Her daughter, Sophie, has left for university, and her husband is often away for extended periods due to his naval career. Helen grapples with the emptiness of her spacious home and the accompanying sense of loneliness. To alleviate this, she persuades her husband to install a grand copper wall fountain, which provides a soothing distraction and sound from her solitude. However, Helen’s loneliness and the recent disruptive behavior of Jacob, a resident of the Isle, weigh heavily on her mind. She is particularly disturbed by Jacob’s father’s apparent indifference to his son’s actions. Helen resolves to discuss the matter with Elspeth, another resident of the Isle, and consider taking proactive measures to address Jacob’s behavior, as she views him as a menace to the community. As Helen ascends the staircase, she experiences sudden and severe physical distress. She becomes disoriented and lightheaded, clutching the banister for support. A strong, familiar odor, which she associates with Sam, further disorients her. She loses her balance and falls, descending into darkness as she collapses.

In this chapter, Emma experiences a series of events that shatter her sense of normalcy. She reflects on the fragility of life, particularly in the aftermath of a disturbing morning incident involving Jacob. She seeks solace and warmth in her house, which is situated in a serene neighborhood by the canals. Winter in Oceanbay Isle, free from tourists, is a season of solace for her. After suffering from a debilitating migraine, Emma takes medication to alleviate her pain and attempts to rest on the couch. When she awakens, she notices her husband, Van, is missing and receives a message from her son, Kai, indicating that Van’s car is in the garage, implying he might be surfing instead of working. Curious and concerned, Emma investigates and discovers Van’s surfboards but no wetsuit in the garage. She calls out for him but receives no response. She begins to search the house for him, eventually entering their home office, which is filled with moths. In the shocking and devastating climax of the chapter, Emma finds Van dead on the office floor, suffocated with a plastic bag over his face. Her world crumbles as she realizes her husband of nineteen years has passed away.