The submarine has come to rest on what Leah believes is the ocean floor. She explains how the levels of the ocean are designated, from the Sunlight Zone all the way down to the Hadal Zone, where complete darkness reigns. She speculates on what kind of living creatures exist that far into the deep.

Miri admits that, for a variety of reasons, she never introduced Leah to her mother, though Leah was with Miri at the funeral. She worries that Leah will not care for her should she succumb to an illness like her mother. It never occurred to Miri to think that Leah might be the one to need care. Miri finally gets through to the Centre while Leah is again in the bath.

Miri remembers the other times that Leah was away, on other expeditions. While Miri does not directly admit her feelings of sadness and loss, her memories are melancholy. As this last expedition stretched, the Centre contacted Miri to report that the submarine had been delayed. At first, Miri was unperturbed and went about her work, but as time went by, she began to worry—and act out. She lashed out at Leah’s friends, who invited her to a party, and she missed a message from the Centre in the process.