At daybreak, Pi feels cold and detached, then watches the sea and sky brighten until the sun rises. With the first light, hope surges in him and he convinces himself rescue is imminent, imagining reunions with Ravi and his parents aboard a ship.

Only after lingering on the horizon does Pi look into the lifeboat and discovers the hyena has attacked the zebra. The zebra’s already broken leg has been bitten off; the severed limb has been dragged to the stern and blood still drips from the stump. Pi feels shock, hatred, and an urge to act, but does nothing, admitting that fear for his own survival quickly dulls his pity.

Not seeing Orange Juice at first, Pi resumes scanning the horizon. As the afternoon wind rises, he notices the lifeboat rides high with ample freeboard but is knocked broadside by waves, creating a jerky motion that makes him nauseated. He changes position toward the bow, closer to the hyena, which watches him but stays still.

From this new angle, Pi spots Orange Juice slumped on the side bench, panting with obvious seasickness. The sight makes Pi laugh, and the laughter releases a burst of happiness that settles his own nausea; he also notes Orange Juice is uninjured and, strangely, seems unconcerned enough to turn her back on the hyena, leaving Pi baffled by the animals’ uneasy coexistence.

Later, Pi hears scraping against the hull and sees a large hawksbill sea turtle drift close by. Struck by its severe, watchful presence, Pi speaks to it and urges it to go find a ship, then watches as it turns and sinks out of sight.