The two groups reunite in Crownville, where they try to convince Lucy that they can’t afford to stop pursuing the True Knot. Abra goes further, saying that Lucy can’t stop her anyways. Dan and Billy leave together, and Dan sleeps while Billy drives. He dreams about the hedge animals at the Overlook. Dan wakes later that night in Ohio and feels sick as they look for a hotel. Billy asks what’s wrong. Dan doesn’t give details but says that Abra doesn’t know he is feeling ill.

Abra fights the urge to peek in Dan’s mind. She knows Rose is thinking about her. In the morning, Dan feels worse and can’t keep his breakfast down. When they reach Iowa, he communicates with Abra. Then he sleeps again, and dreams that she has been strangled. Abra calls Rose to outline the rules for the next day’s confrontation, including where she and Billy will park. Rose says she has one question, but Abra hangs up. Then she contacts Dan and updates him.

He and Billy review their plan. They’ll scout the area before engaging. In Martenville, Colorado, they go into a store called Kids’ Stuff. Dan tells a worker what he wants, and says he’ll pay cash.