Summary

This section does not have delineating chapters as it is written as a stream of consciousness from Control. The wall in front of him is breathing, he realizes. He wants more than anything for someone to just wake him up, so his life can return to what constituted normal for him. He runs. Crossing the cafeteria he slips and falls. Recovering he spies Grace standing by one of the entrances to the holding swamp. He starts to approach, but then realizes that she's looking at something on the edge of the water. It is Cynthia, the former director. Behind her are green plumes and Control knows that this is the border, and that it has extended into Southern Reach.

Somehow Control makes it to his car in the parking lot. He jams in the keys, starts up the engine and gets out of...