Chapter 14
Contains spoilersOverview
Mrs. Sigsby interrogated Avery Dixon about Luke Ellis’s escape, escalating from threats to physical coercion. Under pain and the threat of further torture, Avery revealed the route Maureen Alvorson had telepathically given him for Luke: through the woods to village lights, along a fence to a scarf marker, down a path to the river, then by boat to Presque Isle.
Summary
Avery Dixon was brought before Mrs. Sigsby by Winona and Tony. Mrs. Sigsby confronted Avery with her belief that Maureen Alvorson had telepathically fed him directions for Luke Ellis’s escape, and that Avery had later relayed this to Ellis. She referenced surveillance video as corroboration and pressed for details about where Luke went.
Avery initially denied knowing the plan. Mrs. Sigsby ordered Tony to twist Avery’s arm, causing him to cry out but continue to insist ignorance. She warned that more pain would follow unless he cooperated.
When Avery still refused, Winona used a Taser on Avery’s abdomen at Mrs. Sigsby’s direction, causing him to urinate on the carpet. Despite the pain, Avery continued to say he did not know. A second taser application by Tony left Avery limp, but conscious.
Mrs. Sigsby maintained pressure, demanding the plan. When Avery persisted in denying knowledge, she ordered Winona to remove his pants and apply the Taser to his testes at full power. Faced with this threat, Avery broke and agreed to tell.
Avery described the instructions Maureen had provided: Luke was to go through the woods, possibly find a golf cart track but keep straight, watch for lights (notably a bright yellow one), reach the houses, follow the fence until a scarf marker on vegetation, take the path or road behind it to the river, and find a boat. When pressed for a destination, Avery said Maureen instructed Luke not to get off at Dennison River Bend but to continue as far as Presque Isle.
Internally, Mrs. Sigsby recognized the significance: the on-site search could be redirected from the woods to the river, but Luke had a substantial head start. She dismissed Avery with a threat of consequences if he had lied.
Who Appears
- Avery Dixon
Institute child; interrogated and tortured; reveals Luke’s escape route and river destination (Presque Isle).
- Mrs. Sigsby
Institute director; leads the interrogation, orders escalating coercion, and deduces search redirection to the river.
- Winona
caretaker; assists restraint and applies Taser under orders.
- Tony
caretaker; restrains Avery, twists his arm, and applies Taser.
- Luke Ellis
Institute child; absent but central; his escape route and intended destination are revealed.
- Maureen Alvorson
former staff; discussed posthumously for having provided telepathic directions enabling Luke’s escape.