Lena talks to Kendra about mortality and aging, explaining the differences between her perception as a naiad and as a human. Grandpa tells Kendra and Seth about Midsummer Eve. He forbids the children from looking out of the windows or leaving their beds in the attic. Later, Seth pesters Dale with questions about the terrifying things that roam the yard on Midsummer’s Eve; Dale refuses to answer. Instead, he brings Seth to Hugo, a golem made of earth that helps with heavy chores on the farm and does not appear to have a will of his own.

The inhabitants of the farm carve pumpkins to place outside the house on Midsummer’s Eve as further protection. Normally, the pumpkins are inhabited by fairies, but they have been sparse since their run-in with Seth. Grandpa and Lenaexplain that regular jack o’ lanterns are almost as effective.

Midsummer’s Eve gets off to an early start, confirming the adults’ fears that this one will be particularly chaotic. Kendra and Seth are sent to their room as the sunsets and are told not to look, listen, or leave their beds that are surrounded by an extra circle of salt to ward off evil.