The chapter opens with Nora in a state of panic as a polar bear rapidly approaches her.
In a desperate survival attempt, Nora fires a signal flare into the water. However, the bear continues moving towards her.
Nora attempts to scare away the bear by loudly clanging a ladle against a saucepan and shouting "BEAR," but to no avail.
Nora considers reaching for a nearby rifle but realizes it is too far away to be useful in time.
Desperately, Nora shouts out for a supernatural entity known as Mrs Elm and begs to be transported back to a place called the Midnight Library, an apparent haven from the adventure-filled life she is currently leading.
Nora realizes the true terror in the fact that to the bear, she is nothing more than food.
In the face of imminent death, Nora finds that she doesn't want to die after all, and that life suddenly seems more attractive.
Her desire to live presents a problem as she needs to be disappointed in life, not just scared, in order to return to the Midnight Library.
In a final act of bravery, Nora continues to create noise by banging the ladle against the saucepan. She repeats to herself that she is not scared.
Surprisingly, the bear slips into the water and disappears, leaving Nora banging the saucepan in relief. Shortly after, Nora hears other humans calling her name through the fog.