After moving into her adjoining room, Kit unpacks her medication lockbox and accidentally discovers that her room connects directly to Lenora Hope’s. Mrs. Baker is in Lenora’s room, setting up a book on cassette recorded by Jessica, and then gives Kit a strict orientation. Mrs. Baker explains Lenora’s medications, feeding schedule, hygiene needs, exercises, bathing routine, bedtime, and the night call button, making clear that Lenora’s life is tightly controlled and almost entirely dependent on her caregiver.

As Mrs. Baker talks, Kit studies Lenora’s room and realizes how frozen Lenora’s life seems. The room still feels like a childhood bedroom, filled with old furniture, shut windows, and a typewriter Mary once bought in hopes of teaching Lenora to write. Mrs. Baker says Lenora usually communicates only by tapping her left hand once for no and twice for yes. When Mrs. Baker leaves, Kit is unsettled by being alone with Lenora, but she tries to hide her fear and speak to Lenora directly and informally.

Kit tests Lenora’s condition and communication method. Lenora successfully answers yes-or-no questions by tapping, and Kit checks Lenora’s vital signs, reflexes, and strength in her left arm. Kit notices a healing bruise on Lenora’s forearm, but Lenora indicates it does not hurt. Kit then tests what Lenora can hold, first with a pill bottle and then with a heavier snow globe. Lenora cannot manage the snow globe, and the brief exchange that follows reveals that Lenora misses her parents but does not miss her sister.

That answer triggers Kit’s fear of Lenora’s past. Holding Lenora’s left hand suddenly makes Kit imagine the infamous murders and the possibility that Lenora really did kill her family. Lenora seems to recognize Kit’s thoughts and then looks urgently toward the typewriter. When Kit asks if Lenora wants to use it, Lenora confirms that Mary taught her how.

Kit wheels Lenora to the desk and helps by operating the carriage return while Lenora types with one finger. Lenora first writes, hello kit, then proves her mind is still active by typing, my body is dead but my mind is alive. When Kit recoils, Lenora notices and types two final messages: dont be scared and i cant hurt you. Instead of comforting Kit, the last line increases her fear, because Kit hears not reassurance but a suggestion that Lenora might hurt her if she were physically able.