Part 5/9:
The unfolding drama is punctuated by Edward’s encounters with Sister Rose, the island's teacher, who hints at dire truths masked by the seductive veneer of community. The more Edward investigates, the more he realizes the unsettling practices of sacrifice that underlie the villagers' beliefs—an age-old ritual intended to appease the gods and preserve their honey production essential for the island’s economy.
Dreams of his past intertwining with horrifying present realities push Edward to the verge of sanity. His hallucinatory experiences culminate in a terrifying yet revelatory moment when he discovers an underground tank that holds not just Rowan's lost belongings but something far darker, propelling his search towards a frantic climax.