Gloria and Miz Lottie visit Robert at the Reformatory. At first Gloria is relieved to see that Robert is alive, clean, and able to eat, and Miz Lottie brings him a full meal. But as Robert eats ravenously, Gloria notices how exhausted, guarded, and changed he is. When Robert winces under Miz Lottie’s touch, Gloria presses him until he admits he has been beaten.

Gloria lifts Robert’s shirt and sees the lash marks across his back, confirming how badly he has been abused. Robert will not fully explain why he was whipped, only that many boys are beaten. Gloria fights her anger and fear, trying not to alert the guard, and reassures Robert that none of this is his fault. She then tells Robert the hopeful news she has been holding back: she has spoken to their father, he knows what happened, and she has money to get a lawyer.

With little time and a guard nearby, Gloria and Miz Lottie begin the real purpose of the visit. Miz Lottie places a Bible on the table and starts singing to cover Gloria’s words. Gloria reads, “the truth shall make you free,” then reveals a hidden paper inside the Bible marked with simple drawings that form a map. Using code, song, and whispers, Gloria explains Uncle June’s escape route: Robert must use the fence near the Funhouse, move along the cornfield out of sight, head toward the woods instead of the road, enter the creek, and follow it upriver to the railroad trestle where Miz Lottie’s truck will wait.

Gloria also gives Robert petroleum jelly and tells him to cover himself with it before running, hoping it will make it harder for dogs to track him. At first she says the escape will be next Sunday, but Robert is desperate and keeps pressing for sooner. Gloria finally moves the plan up to Friday, even though the family still needs time and money to prepare for leaving Gracetown and heading to Chicago after Robert gets out.

Before the visit ends, Robert shares one more truth Gloria cannot easily dismiss: he says there are haints at the Reformatory, including their mother’s spirit, and that the other ghosts can hurt him by causing punishments and forcing him into things he does not want to do. Robert refuses to explain further, retreating back into silence. Gloria leaves not comforted but more frightened than before, realizing how deeply the Reformatory has damaged her brother and how much now depends on the escape succeeding.