Jane takes Ziggy to the nearly deserted beach in cold, windy weather, where they build a sand castle together. The rough ocean and empty shore mirror Jane’s unease as she prepares to ask Ziggy about Amabella’s injuries.

Jane tells Ziggy that she saw Mrs. Lipmann and Amabella’s mother, then explains that Amabella says someone in class has been secretly hurting her when the teacher is not looking. Jane describes the pinching and biting, acknowledging to herself how terrible the situation is and why Renata is so angry.

Jane tells Ziggy directly that Amabella’s mother thinks he is responsible. Jane nearly reassures Ziggy by assuming his innocence, but instead forces herself to ask the question plainly: whether Ziggy is the one hurting Amabella.

Ziggy avoids answering at first, focusing on the sand. When Jane presses him, Ziggy looks at Jane with a distant expression and says he does not want to talk about it, leaving Jane without the denial she hoped for and deepening the uncertainty around the accusations.