- Jesus Fever dies a week later, in a fit of laughter. Zoo, Amy, and Joel are the only ones present at his burial. While they lower his casket into the grave it falls and he ends up face down.
- That night Joel has nightmares that keep him awake.
- He goes out to Zoo's cabin to see her off. She promises to send for him once she's settled.
- He's angry with her but finally gives in, and she gives him Jesus' sword.
- Amy is angry that Zoo has up and left. Joel and Randolph discuss it while Randolph makes a bird out of cardboard and blue jay feathers.
- Joel says that the real bird could fly, but that this fake one can't do anything except look like it was alive.
- Later on Joel reads a story to Mr. Sansom, who repeats "boy kind" over and over, but Joel abandons his father when he hears Idabel whistling down below.
- Mr. Samson repeats "bad boy" and drops all of his tennis balls but it doesn't stop Joel.
- After strapping on his trusty sword Joel finds Idabel wounded after a fight with Florabel to save the dog, Henry, from their dad.
- They decide to run away together.
- Joel tells Idabel about the lady in the window, but then says he's joking because it doesn't look like she believes him.
- Headed for the Cloud Hotel, where Little Sunshine lives, they have to cross a river on a rotting beam.
- Joel goes first because he doesn't want to seem like a wimp, but he stops when he sees a cottonmouth (a poisonous snake) waiting for him.
- Joel's paralyzed with fear, so Idabel grabs his sword and knocks the snake into the water.
- He realizes he doesn't need a charm from Little Sunshine anymore, because he's already survived the danger that was awaiting him. He doesn't want to cross the river this time.