The abominable snowman adds large logs to the fire. Sloan doesn’t believe he intends to harm her. He suggests that she spend the night, offers her his bed of leaves, and promises to help free her car in the morning.

The creature introduces himself as Robert, and Sloan is surprised at his ordinary name. After introducing herself, she learns that Robert once lived with his wife, Nicole, who disappeared several years ago. He found her footprints in the snow on Peyton’s Peak, but the trail ended. He searched for a year and now believes that someone took her.

Robert asks if Sloan is hungry. Though starving, she hesitates, uncertain what food he might serve and concerned that he might cook Jasper. She must decide between eating the food (Chapter 29) or refusing (Chapter 26).

Sloan refuses the food and lies down on the bed of leaves. Later, she wakes up desperately hungry. Robert sleeps nearby while Jasper tries to get her attention. Noticing his duffel bag nearby, she wonders if it contains food and considers searching it. Opening the duffel bag leads to Chapter 27, while looking elsewhere leads to Chapter 28.