Diary Entry June 14, 1926
Phoebe Minafer vanished during the night.
Her cottage is empty, and her dress hangs in the oak, just like the others.
I discovered it early this afternoon after an absurdly long slumber.
I slept for hours and hours, which I blame on worry and sheer exhaustion.
I’d had another nightmare that I’m now convinced was no such thing.
It was the same as the others, seeing the Darkness, looking exactly like Daddy, passing by the cottage.
Giving chase into the woods. Seeing Mrs. Minafer on the rock, muttering a prayer as the Darkness, pretending to be Daddy, raised its blade.
Fortunately, I woke up before I could see the rest.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Minafer is now gone.
The only thing I felt as I saw her dress hanging limply in the branches next to the others was relief that mine wasn’t also there.
A shameful reaction, I know. I should have felt sadness or anger or fear.
And even though I do feel all of those things now, I couldn’t help but be relieved that I had made it through another night.
For that, I thank the daisy wheel. It had done its job protecting me.
Now I am about to do yet another search of the island, just in case this time will yield a different result. Mrs. Semple has insisted on going with me. I suppose she’s worried that I, too, will vanish and that she’ll be left all by herself on New Avalon.
I fear that if we don’t do something soon, that is exactly what will happen.