Thomas runs through the dim light of the forest sprinting after the beetle blade, but he loses it when it scurries up a tree. He hears a twig snap, but can't identify where the sound came from.
He heads towards the noise, and is led to the graveyard where a dozen or so markers are scattered, some much older than others.
The newest grave, made hurriedly it seems, bears the name of Stephen. Something tells us this might be important information later in the story.
The oldest grave belongs to George, overgrown with weeds and brush.
Then, he sees a short grave with—believe it or not—a window into the ground. Thomas sees the dusty remains of half of a body, and words etched on the glass: Let this half-shank be a warning to all: You can't escape through the Box hole. Message: received.
When the sound of twigs snapping grows louder and closer, Thomas sees a boy crashing through the woods towards him, and before he can do anything he's attacked by the visitor.
They struggle, the boy snapping his teeth and using a grave marker as a weapon, and then he bites Thomas on the shoulder.
Thomas gets away from the boy and realizes that he's crazed: it's the sick boy, Ben.
(Every chapter ends with a twist or cliffhanger, so let's just picture this guy after every one, shall we?)