Chapters 15–20 Summary
Chapter 15
Harvey tries to recount his adventure to his parents, but like the mist, it disintegrates his memories. His father doesn’t fully believe him and asks Harvey if he can find the House again so that they can report it to the police.
Harvey’s mom takes him upstairs to his old room, which has been redecorated for an adult male in hopes he would someday return home. Harvey goes in and out of sleep, dreaming of Lulu. He promises himself he will save her.
The next morning, his father procures a map of the town. Everything has changed since Harvey was a “child,” and his escape left him with little to remember as his sole focus was surviving. His father has him draw a picture of the House, but no one in town seems to know of it. This angers his father, who is losing patience with Harvey. He decides to go to the police anyway, without evidence, hoping they can help. At home, Harvey talks to his mom and explains how he regrets his choices. She comforts him and leaves him to go shopping.
While she’s out, Harvey sees Wendell on the corner and runs to him. Wendell is sobbing, wishing he could get his life back. The boys talk and realize the House will never show itself to adults; it only wants children, especially the two children who escaped. Harvey leaves a note for his parents, and the two boys head to the House.
Chapter 16
Once the boys walk towards the House, it’s as if their bodies know where to take them. In no time, they make it back to the street with the stone wall. Harvey decides they will ask Mrs. Griffin for help, and if she’s dead, they will search the House for Mr. Hood. Even though Mr. Hood is supposedly dead, Harvey thinks there’s more to the story, and he’s determined to get back the missing years of his life.
Before they cross back into the House’s world, Wendell asks about the illusions. He questions how the kids can experience the seasons and food if, in fact, it isn’t real. Harvey isn’t sure, but he believes Mr. Hood is some kind of vampire, sucking the life out of children to stay alive.
Once inside, Wendell is immediately captivated by the weather and heads for the treehouse. Harvey pleads with him to remember, but Wendell has reverted back to his “who cares” attitude. Harvey walks toward the house, and Wendell follows—but only because he wants food. Harvey remembers his wooden figures turning to dust outside of the walls and tells himself the food is the same kind of illusion. Once they enter the house, the door slams shut. Harvey turns around to find Rictus standing in front of him.
Chapter 17
Harvey asks Rictus about Mrs. Griffin, but Rictus says she’s old and lying down somewhere safe. Just then, one of the cats named Stew-Cat rubs against Harvey’s leg and purs. As Wendell runs into the kitchen to eat, Harvey asks Rictus to get his presents that he left in his room. Rictus, believing Harvey is under his spell, runs upstairs to get them.
In the kitchen, Jive cooks for Wendell. He offers Harvey food, but Harvey declines, telling Jive he’s in search of his presents. Harvey walks into the hall again to find Stew-Cat, who seems to have something to show him. Harvey follows the cat down a narrow passage and shows Harvey a hidden key for a locked room. He unlocks the door and follows Stew-Cat down a dark stairway.
The basement...
(This entire section contains 1551 words.)
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is empty except for a large wooden box. Stew-Cat runs over, jumps on the box, and starts clawing it. Harvey notices the box is padlocked and isn’t sure what to do, but he sees an apron string hanging out of one side. He knows it belongs to Mrs. Griffin.
Harvey finds two large rocks and begins hitting the lock until it breaks. He begins to doubt who or what is inside but pulls open the box nonetheless.
Chapter 18
Harvey looks down to find a beaten and bruised Mrs. Griffin. Harvey blames Mr. Hood, and Mrs. Griffin agrees, but she explains that his presence is not what Harvey thinks it to be. She begins to cry and tells Harvey that he has broken a curse Mr. Hood put on her. She tells Harvey she was the first child at Holiday House. She ran away from home because her cat died and her father refused to buy her a new one. Rictus got her three cats upon her arrival.
Mrs. Griffin explains that as a child, she wanted cats, a home, and a new father. She received all of these things from Mr. Hood, who told her she would never cry again. She could stay at Holiday House without fear of Death, but now, Death is all Mrs. Griffin yearns for.
Harvey promises he will remove Mr. Hood’s power and allow her to pass away from this nightmare, but just then, Marr comes down the stairs. She tells Harvey that Mr. Hood likes humble things, so he should let her transform him into something else if he wishes to remain alive.
Harvey knows this is a trap and desperately wants to free Mrs. Griffin. Without fear, he walks towards Marr, grabs her fingers, and asks Marr what she dreams off. This question infuriates her. She tries to use her magic on him, but since Harvey is happy being himself, her magic doesn’t work; instead, it turns on her.
Marr spits slime on Harvey’s face, but he won’t let her go, pulling her in closer and searching for her dreams. All of a sudden, Marr begins to melt. Harvey asks her what she dreams of, and Marr replies, “nothing . . . and that’s what I’ve become.”
Chapter 19
Harvey brings Mrs. Griffin upstairs, where Rictus is waiting for them. He makes a comment about Harvey being a murderer, but Mrs. Griffin reminds Rictus that they aren’t real; they are illusions. Rictus laughs and reminds them about Mr. Hood. Harvey sends Mrs. Griffin outside while he continues his mission.
As Harvey turns toward the stairs, Jive comes through the door with a plate of food. He insists Harvey eat it, but Harvey refuses. Harvey tells Jive it’s another illusion, but Jive doesn’t understand. To prove nothing is wrong with the food, Jive takes a big bite. Rictus makes a noise then tells Jive not to swallow, but it’s too late. The food, just like the wooden figures, turns to ash and dust. Jive begins choking and calling for help, but Rictus knows he’s finished. Jive’s body remembers what it’s made out of and begins to decay in front of Harvey and Rictus. Just before he hits the floor, Jive calls for Mr. Hood to “save” him.
Wendell enters the room and asks what’s going on, staring at what he assumes to be a pile of dirt. Harvey analyzes Wendell’s role, knowing he’ll be of no use to him. He tells Wendell Mrs. Griffin is outside. By the time Wendell asks Harvey what he’s going to do, Harvey is already up the stairs, ready to face Mr. Hood alone.
Chapter 20
Harvey knows the House will continue to play tricks and can’t stop wondering what really lies beneath its veil of deceit. He has to look beyond what he sees to find the truth. He grabs a chair and opens the trap door to the attic.
The attic is unlike the House. It’s dirty, musty, and bereft of joy. He calls Hood’s name, knowing Hood is watching him. Harvey sees something in the shadows, but once he gets closer, he realizes it’s Carna.
As Harvey runs back toward the attic door, he sees a glowing orb rise toward the roof. Several more orbs rise from the floor and ascended toward the ceiling. Harvey falls trying to get away from Carna as he watches this spectacle. A face appears across the roof; the face of Mr. Hood. In an ominous voice, Mr. Hood tells Harvey that he has ruined paradise. He chides Harvey for killing Jive and Marr and says he will meet the same fate at the hands of Carna—unless Harvey lets things return to normal.
Harvey is furious, cursing Mr. Hood for taking thirty years of his life. Mr. Hood says he gave Harvey what he wanted, but Harvey reminds Mr. Hood that he never knew what he was sacrificing. Mr. Hood calls them both “the thieves of always” because Mr. Hood takes time, while Harvey takes lives. This thought makes Harvey question himself.
Mr. Hood tells Harvey they should work together, reminding Harvey that he enjoyed his brief time as a vampire. Harvey, disgusted at this thought, tells Mr. Hood he’s getting what he came for. Mr. Hood tells Carna to “devour” him, but Harvey has a plan. He reaches his hand out to Carna and compassionately touches its snout. Confused, Carna leans into his hand and lets out a moan of gratitude. Carna retreats to its corner and collapses in on itself.