Katherine Tesi

These chapters seem to serve as the climax of both the Navidson Record and Johnny’s story within his narration. Johnny Truant begins having dreams which in this case he can remember upon waking up. In one dream in particular he is deformed and eventually killed by Thumper with an axe. Johnny’s lifestyle in general has become the direct opposite of what it once was. He went from constantly going to parties and meeting a different girl nightly to now not leaving his house and even turning down Kyrie when she offers him a second ride in her car. Kyrie’s fiancé attacks Lude, putting him the hospital and in terrible shape. Johnny only finds out about Lude’s condition because he plans on leaving California to go to Virginia and wants to say good-bye to Lude. However in order to gain a few extra dollars for his trip, Johnny decides to sell his mother’s locket.
Within the story of the Navidson Record, Will Navidson finally decides to return to the house for a final exploration. What she believes is prior to Navidson’s return; Karen revisits the house only to find that the hallways have all disappeared. She also discovers some of Navidson’s belongings in the children’s old room. She is told by her real estate that the house always sells and its owners never stay in the house for more than a few years. Navidson re-enters the labyrinth, going a different direction than he had before. He finds multiple flights of stairs which all seem to be oddly directed, either on their side or having a stair start within the ceiling. Navidson discovers a window which shortly after vanishes back into the black ash of the walls. He eventually discovers that he feels as though he is falling or floating, Navidson can’t tell anymore. Deciding that he is in fact falling, Navidson goes through a range of emotion before seeing a bright light ahead of him.

1. What is Johnny’s plan if and when he gets to Virginia?
2. Are Karen and Navidson simultaneously in the house, or did Karen arrive before or after him?
3. Why are some of Navidson’s belongings found in the children’s room? Is there another connection between the labyrinth and the living area of the house?