Liff watches the rain-soaked garden convulse as the Witch unleashes, or ceases to restrain, something in the earth. The ground boils into grotesque half-formed bodies made from mud, stones, bean poles, tools, and plants. Liff realizes that calling the Witch has led to a magic or force far beyond the stories she knows.

Portia holds her rifle but does not initially aim at the Witch, and Liff notices that Portia seems to recognize the Witch rather than fear her. Miranda, however, is terrified and backs away, suggesting that the chaos outside is connected to Miranda in a way Portia and Fabian do not understand. Fabian freezes on the kitchen counter while the figures outside continue forming and collapsing.

Some of the mud shapes become distinct enough for Miranda to recognize them. One tall angular figure shocks Miranda into silently mouthing a name, while another clay-made man and a suited woman emerge from the ground. The suited woman approaches the window, and Portia shoots her, but the blast of mud and stones through the figure’s body has no effect.

The mud-woman speaks in alien words that Miranda involuntarily translates. Miranda identifies her as Erma Lante and is horrified by the impossibility of her presence. The figure accuses Miranda of forgetting her and insists that Miranda needs all of them, demanding that everyone let them in or come outside to be reunited.

The Witch calls for Miranda to let her inside, claiming she can settle everything if everyone stays still and stops interfering. Miranda collapses, convinced that the disaster is her fault and that she is losing control or “un-becoming.” Liff tries to comfort Miranda and takes blame for summoning the Witch, but as the mud figures pound at the door and Portia reloads, Liff stands up to act.