January realizes the coin she found as a little girl matches the one Yule planned to give Ade in the book. She now knows that The Ten Thousand Doors is a true story. January recognizes that she is a part of the story somehow, as well as others in her life who know about Doors, such as Locke, Jane, and maybe even her father. Rifling through the book, she finds a note from Samuel tucked inside: “Hold on January” (152). A moment later, nurses enter her room, take away her book, and bring her to the doctor, where she tries to steal a pen in order to write her way out of the asylum. However, the nurses quickly restrain her, take the pen, and give her drugs that leave her body weak and her mind foggy.

Days later, as the effects of the drugs finally wear off, Mr. Havemeyer comes to visit. He questions her about how she found out about Doors, what he calls “fractures” (158). He touches her skin with his pale fingertip, and all warmth leaves her body. January feels numb and weak after just one touch, as Havemeyer explains that he wants to keep the world full of “undefended, unmissed people” (160).