Edwin confirmed that the thing Cole had to discover in order to heal was a way to help Peter or if not Peter, then someone else.

After spotting the animal every few days during late summer and early fall, Cole realized that the Spirit Bear was hibernating when the sightings ended with the coming of winter.

Cole faithfully continued to soak in the pond and carry the ancestor rock all winter, even when the walk to the pain became treacherous.

During his winter confinement, Cole sometimes cried himself to sleep from loneliness and he worried about what would happen when he returned to Minneapolis where there was no ancestor rock, no soaking pond, and no totem.

 On Christmas Eve, Cole sat alone in front of a small tree he had cut and decorated and wondered if anyone anywhere missed him.

In March Cole learn that Peter, feeling that his life was worthless, had tried to commit suicide.

Cole began thinking that he could help Peter if he came to the island where he could visit the pond, carry the ancestor rock, carve his own totem, dance, maybe see the Spirit Bear, and know that the island held no monsters.

 Edwin came back to the island unexpectedly to put a stop to Cole's idea about bringing Peter to the island.

Edwin reported that Peter had tried to commit suicide a second time.

Both Garvey and Edwin knew that Cole had changed during his time on the island, and they were proud of him.

Cole was willing to stay on the island longer than he had to if it meant helping Peter.

When Edwin’s skiff and the fishing trawler reached shore, Peter Driscal stepped off the trawler first and stood staring defiantly at Cole while Edwin and Garvey unloaded supplies.

Peter's parents had not been able to make the trip to the island with their son, but Garvey and two Circle members had come in their place.

Edwin pointed a finger at Cole and reminded him that Peter and his parents had been forced to make one of the most difficult decisions of their life because of one thoughtless moment on his part.

Garvey admitted that staying on the island with Cole and Peter was something he needed as badly as the two boys.

The Circle had not been involved in the decision to bring Peter to the island.

Cole and his visitors remain seated around the fire as he told of his experiences on the island during his first day, his rehabilitation, and his return to the island.

When Edwin asked him to explain the uncarved space on his totem, Cole explained that Peter had to do the carving.

 With Cole's apology and offered to help him heal, Peter turned away, declaring that he didn't want Cole's help.