31.

The team arrives at Brooks Library separately to avoid attention. In the parking lot, Donna warns Tana to protect Allie, sparking barbed exchanges. Gwen, weakened and on a crutch, enters the near-empty building and joins the others in Conference Room A, whose hidden door leads to a warm server room they choose as their staging area.

Donna forces the server-room lock, and Gwen opts to rest there, reasoning they should summon Arthur only when the library is empty, then immediately draw King Sorrow through. As Gwen sleeps, Donna admits Gwen is gravely ill but argues that Gwen’s closeness to death may help bridge the Long Dark to reach Arthur.

Donna confesses past failures and motives; Robin declares he won’t abandon friends again. Tana and Allie affirm their commitment despite risks. Donna suggests Allie could withdraw for safety, but Allie insists on staying. Allie departs to retrieve necessary items and later will return with the robe and mirror.

While waiting, Tana texts with her son, then notices Gwen awake and doubting the plan. Tana confesses she once slept with Arthur and misrepresented it as manipulation, asking forgiveness. Gwen responds with compassion, telling Tana never to be troubled by it again, and the two share quiet solidarity.

At Donna’s cue, they move. The group descends to the basement. Tana opens an old window—the route Colin once used—and Allie passes Gwen’s messenger bag through before climbing in herself. Reunited, they exchange tense humor, confirm positions, and prepare to initiate the summoning as night falls.