Early in the week, Linus immerses himself in the children’s routines: discussing the Magna Carta and The Canterbury Tales, encouraging Sal’s ambition to finish an unfinished novel, reassuring Talia about her garden, and observing Phee’s training with Zoe on intention and care. He plays guest at Chauncey’s Everland Hotel and later falters over packing to leave. Theodore arrives, leads Linus to his hidden hoard under the couch, and gifts him a chewed brass button, which Linus cherishes.

On Thursday morning, Zoe senses villagers gathering angrily on the mainland. Arthur prepares to confront them, instructing Zoe to protect the children if trouble comes. Linus insists on accompanying Arthur. Zoe seals the forest and tosses Linus her car keys; at the shore, a glistening salt road rises from the sea, allowing them to drive to the village.

At the docks, a small crowd with crude signs faces Helen, who blocks access, and Merle, who refused unpaid passage. Linus demands answers as Norman decries the orphanage and Marty claims injury by Lucy, which Helen undermines by exposing Marty’s borrowed neck brace. Linus counters with Marty’s attempted exorcism and the crowd’s hypocrisy, pressing what they intended to do if they reached the island.

When someone throws a rock toward Helen, Arthur manifests as a phoenix, catching and shattering it. Linus calms Arthur; the phoenix briefly blesses Linus before vanishing. Arthur acknowledges mutual fear and isolation, vows to protect his wards, and asks for listening over judgment. Helen asserts the law: harm to any child will bring swift consequences. The crowd breaks apart; some mutter apologies, Helen detains Marty for a reckoning, and Merle grumbles off.

Helen notes Linus’s Saturday departure. Arthur admits spreading his wings felt freeing. They return along the salt road, the sea lapping at the tires, while Linus quietly weighs what “home” now means.