Hank’s heavy footsteps and a creaking door signal his presence upstairs. As Tegan reels from nausea and cramps, she manages to reach the bathroom and vomits, believing she has expelled most of whatever was in Polly’s drink, with some of it already on Polly’s shirt. Hank tries to descend, but Polly stops him; Tegan hears Hank’s angry order for Polly to move and realizes Polly is risking herself to keep him away.

Time passes without Hank entering. When Polly’s lighter steps return, she helps Tegan back into bed. The movement triggers a powerful, unmistakable contraction, convincing Tegan that labor may be starting. Determined not to give birth in the basement, Tegan pleads again to be released.

To shift Polly, Tegan reveals she is not married and claims the baby’s father is unknown from a one-night stand. She emphasizes her isolation—no partner, deceased parents, and a distant brother—and promises she will not report what has happened if she is allowed to leave. The appeal targets Polly’s fear of legal consequences.

Polly hesitates, rattled by noises upstairs, but the argument and her earlier protection of Tegan culminate in a decision: she promises to help. Polly hurries away, leaving Tegan with growing contractions and a fragile hope that an escape may be coming.