Summary

In Chapter 13, “Ghosts,” Thilo’s condition worsens over the following weeks. Wojnicz stays by his side. Sometimes he studies Thilo’s painting and sometimes the two talk. During one conversation, Thilo takes Wojnicz’s “face in his hands” and kisses him on the lips (240).

When Wojnicz is not with Thilo, he reads in his room or attends dinner, but hardly speaks. One night, Wojnicz listens to Lukas, August, Raimund, and Opitz talk about ghosts and devils.

Over the following days, Wojnicz avoids the men by taking solo walks and visiting Thilo. One afternoon, he runs into August who insists he discovered Wojnicz’s secret. He tells Wojnicz that in the past people like him “were drowned in the sea” (249).

Wojnicz sneaks up to the attic to discover the space filled with earth, wood, pine needles, and mushrooms. He basks in the environment...