Nirumpam, a young Indian man, is noticed by Robert as beginning to undergo Chrysalis. Robert informs Richard and Slim, who follow Nirumpam as he catches the tube to the polytech. On the journey the Quilt makes an appearance, trying to smother Nirumpam. Richard and Robert try to fight it off, and it disappears. Meeting with Stig at a station, they drive the suffering Nirumpam to Waldren House. There the doorknocker advises that Nirumpam not be let in, but its advice goes unheeded and it disappears.
Inside the house, Nirumpam is placed before the Balefire, and the Quilt reappears, having hidden under his clothes. Before anyone can do anything, it disappears through a crack in the ceiling. While the others search the house for it, Slim guides Nirumpam through the remainder of his Chrysalis.