Part 3/9:
As the story unfolds, we see the unsettling dynamics of this secluded community of women and boys. Nicolas is fed on strange, slimy meals and subjected to routine medical treatments, which he learns are necessary for boys on this island as their bodies are destined to weaken over time. This alarming revelation raises questions about the nature of the island and the true condition of its inhabitants.
As the narrative deepens, Nicolas witnesses a ritualistic gathering of the mothers at the shoreline, where they surround the dead body he initially saw. This is among the first indications that the mothers' behavior may not conform to any natural or familiar maternal instinct.