As she realizes he will be trapped among them for eternity, she departs through the gate herself and, having eschewed her protection from the passage of time, withers and turns to dust. The observing alien has found the factors missing in its equation: love and self-sacrifice. Releasing Norton, who has discovered in himself hope, it proceeds to deconstruct the house and destroy its tenants.
As she realizes he will be trapped among them for eternity, she departs through the gate herself and, having relinquished her protection from the passage of time, withers and turns to dust. The observing alien has identified the missing elements in its equation: love and self-sacrifice. Releasing Norton, who has discovered hope within himself, it proceeds to dismantle the house and obliterate its inhabitants.