Luke Ellis woke in darkness to the sound of someone in his room and, fearing a caretaker had come to seize his laptop, leapt to attack. He collided with a small figure and discovered it was Avery Dixon, who had come because he was scared and could no longer stay with Kalisha Benson, who had been taken to Back Half. Luke let Avery stay the night, sending him to the bathroom first, and felt relief at not being alone.

In the dark, Avery whispered condolences about Luke’s murdered parents, confirming Avery’s strong telepathy. Luke realized Avery was broadcasting thoughts and that his own TP ability could not be hidden from Kalisha or Avery. Avery said Kalisha had told him to come and that she would send messages through him, adding Luke could tell George and Helen only if it was safe, which Luke doubted.

Avery told Luke to look, and although the room was pitch black, Luke sensed Kalisha’s presence through Avery. Luke asked about Nicky Wilholm and Iris Stanhope, and Avery said both were there and all right for now, though Iris and others suffered headaches, which Kalisha believed came from movies and dots in Back Half.

Avery relayed more details from Kalisha: Nicky and Iris had seen movies; there were a few other kids nearby named Jimmy, Len, and Donna, and Bobby Washington had been there initially but was now gone. Luke realized he had inherited Donna’s computer when he arrived. The phrase “shots and dots” described the treatments in Back Half.

Through Avery, Kalisha urged Luke to act, sending a vivid image of a canary escaping an open cage, implying Luke should try to get out because he was the only one smart enough to do it. Luke promised he would if he could. As Luke asked for more, Avery fell asleep, leaving Luke with the weight of the message and the understanding that even thoughts were unsafe within the Institute.