Nora is stationed on a small, unnamed island near Bear Island for a climate research project.
She is assigned as a lookout for polar bears while other scientists conduct fieldwork.
If a bear is spotted, she is to use a flare gun to scare the bear and alert the others. If the bear approaches, she is to use her rifle.
Other members of the team also carry firearms due to the potential danger from polar bears.
While alone on the island, Nora reflects on the solitude and harsh natural environment. She appreciates a deeper connection with nature and herself.
Nora recalls a past conversation with Ash, a surgeon she had met while her mother was battling ovarian cancer.
Ash told her about a theory named "Dunbar's number", which states that humans are naturally wired to know around 150 people, and that excessive social connections can lead to loneliness.
During her solitude, Nora hears a splash. She initially thinks it's a polar bear but discovers it's a walrus.
Nora is frightened by the walrus, knowing that they can be aggressive and are seldom alone.
Nora contemplates shooting a flare but the walrus disappears into the fog.
She briefly reconnects with the other scientists before they fade back into the fog, leaving her once again alone with her thoughts.
Nora stresses the importance of noticing and reacting to noises in this quiet, stark environment.
The chapter ends with another splash and a large silhouette approaching, larger than a walrus and much larger than any human, hinting at potential danger.