As the children played outside, two nameless men in red scrubs emerged from the lounge, signaling a Back Half transfer. Luke Ellis was absent, unconscious on E-Level where Dr. Richardson cored tissue from his leg, abdomen, and between his ribs. The three veterans—Kalisha Benson, Nicky Wilholm, and George—recognized the red scrubs and braced for a take.

Kalisha later recounted to Luke that she had expected to be taken, given her long tenure and a recent lull in testing, but the men seized Nicky. She described Nicky punching one man in the throat and clinging to the ropes course after being zapped in the hip, then kicking at the second man before being hit again. The men cranked the stun device so high she heard it crackle from across the yard; Nicky collapsed, and the men continued shocking him even as he lay unconscious.

Helen Simms ran in shouting that they were killing Nicky and was kicked down by one of the men, who mocked her with a fake karate cry. As the men carried Nicky toward the lounge doors, Nicky briefly revived, smiled, and waved to the kids before disappearing into Back Half. Kalisha, devastated, declared they all should have fought.

Kalisha noticed Luke’s fresh bandages and pressed him about E-Level. Luke confirmed Dr. Richardson’s three “samples,” which led Kalisha to wonder if the Institute was actually implanting something rather than removing tissue. Luke pointed out they already had ear chips but admitted nothing made sense.

Luke offered Kalisha Oxycontin he had been given for pain. She refused, fearing she would take them all, and decided to fully feel her grief. She asked Luke to be a friend to Avery Dixon if she were taken next, and told Luke he also needed a friend. She kissed him and then, in a burst of rage and despair, shouted her hatred at their unseen captors before breaking down in sobs.

Luke, hurting from the surgical sites and Nicky’s loss, left Kalisha to grieve. He debated taking Oxys but did not, and considered using Mr. Griffin to reach the Star Tribune but held back. He ended the night remembering Nicky’s defiance—how Nicky humbled Harry Cross and then befriended him, resisted testing, and fought the Back Half men until the end.