At Ben’s Deli, Cassie and Izzy realize the rumpled man who has been nearby is approaching them directly. Izzy challenges him, protective and suspicious, while Cassie orders calmly and demands he explain who he is and why he has been “following” them. The man insists he is not their threat, but warns they are in danger because of Cassie’s book.

He introduces himself as Drummond Fox and explains what he has seen: Cassie holding a strange book on the Library Hotel roof terrace with colored light around it, and then Cassie disappearing on the street days later. Drummond says he has experience with “these sorts of books,” confirms there are multiple such books, and warns that people will do anything to obtain them. He urges Cassie and Izzy to leave the deli and talk somewhere safer, but they refuse to trust a stranger.

To prove himself, Drummond offers a show of faith and produces his own volume: a small gold-edged book he calls the <েম>Book of Luck, which makes him lucky when he carries it. Cassie and Izzy are stunned by its beauty and by the confirmation that other books exist, but the moment is cut short when a tall, bald man in a raincoat enters the deli.

The newcomer identifies himself as Dr. Hugo Barbary and reveals he has been following Drummond. Demanding Drummond’s books, Barbary escalates immediately—threatening to kill Cassie and Izzy, then using a book in his hand to violently fling the deli server and other staff members through the air. Barbary locks the front door, traps everyone inside, and continues brutal, casual attacks on the injured worker to force compliance, making clear he will use murder and torture to get what he wants.

As Barbary wrecks the deli, Drummond urgently tells Cassie to use her book now. Cassie grabs Izzy’s hand, runs to the restroom, and opens the door with the Book of Doors—revealing a cold, nighttime street beyond. Cassie pulls Izzy through, waits for Drummond, then slams the door shut as he dives out, leaving Barbary behind in shock. Outside, Drummond thanks Cassie for not abandoning him, and Cassie—shaking with fear—admits she finally believes they are truly in danger.