Part 1 — Chapter 9

Summary

• The protagonist awakens on a beach, having escaped from a forest in a state of panic and is experiencing nausea.
• He attempts to cleanse himself in the ocean, finding the cold water shockingly soothing.
• While he's in the water, a wave knocks him down and he ends up choking on seawater and is completely soaked.
• He is alone on the beach but notices movement in the nearby town of Caiette. He spots a priest entering a white church on a hill.