Jonathan receives a letter from home. In the letter, his parents say that they miss him. One line of the letter says, “We go every day, with the flowers, like you asked” (123).

Sebastian catches James, a small boy, eating the Admiral’s chocolate, which Sebastian now claims as his own. As punishment, he orders him to kneel on the Sinner’s Sorrow. He also takes away James’s room.

Colin objects to Sebastian’s actions, noting that the chocolates are not really his. He also points out that the boys did not vote on a punishment and that Sebastian promised there would be no rules. Sebastian responds, “Well, Colin, I guess there’s at least one. Don’t mess with me” (128).

Jonathan visits the librarian again. He asks him what the Hatch is. The librarian says the Hatch is an iron door that holds back the sea. He explains that the water has been rising for years, encroaching on the school. He notes there was once a beach and a pier before the water rose and washed them away. He says the sea has already flooded the building’s dungeon and will eventually swallow the whole island.

The librarian tells Jonathan that he was born on the island.