Winona escorted Luke to C-Level for routine vitals checks. Dave cheerfully told Luke there was nothing scheduled and to enjoy his off-day, a shift from previous aggressive encounters. Luke linked the lack of testing to Maureen Alvorson’s warning that once testing stopped, he might have only three days before being moved to Back Half.

On the playground, dodgeball had become a daily ritual. Luke joined the dodgers briefly, then allowed himself to be hit and stepped away rather than become a thrower. He noted Frieda Brown shooting free throws alone, still seemingly unaware of where she really was.

Luke sat against the chainlink fence and, recalling Maureen’s plan, inconspicuously felt for a reported gap under the fence line. He confirmed a one-to-two-inch slump where his fingertips could reach outside the Institute grounds, indicating negligent maintenance that might enable escape.

Keeping up appearances, Luke stood, dusted himself off, and invited Frieda to play HORSE. Frieda responded with eagerness, highlighting her vulnerability and isolation, which affected Luke emotionally even as he continued to prepare for escape.