The chapter opens with Fish’s cynical maxim about kind people being dangerous, setting a wary tone for Louisa’s choices. Louisa leaves the train and pauses to look back at Ted sleeping through the window; she gives a small wave, aware that moments of connection are rare for her.

Louisa intentionally leaves the painting on the train so Ted will be forced to keep it, acknowledging he would never accept it otherwise. She admits to herself that she had considered leaving earlier but stayed to hear more of Ted’s story about his friends. She wanted to remain longer, yet fear compels her to go now, because Joar is still alive and she believes stories about men like him end badly.

As Louisa slips away, she recalls Fish’s lessons on disappearing—move calmly, relax, become "like a bar of soap." The memory is bittersweet; she imagines Fish’s humor and competence, and whispers into the darkness that she misses her.

Committed to vanishing, Louisa moves through the empty station without caring where she is, deciding she can disappear anywhere. She passes the ticket barrier and turns a corner, trying to look casual, and descends some stairs.

The chapter ends with a sudden interruption: Louisa hears the echo too late and only notices two men after she has already turned the corner, implying an imminent confrontation or danger.