Luke found Kalisha sitting beneath a motivational poster in a cinderblock hallway and asked where they were. Kalisha told Luke they were at the Institute in rural Maine, far from his Minneapolis home. She offered him antique candy cigarettes from the canteen and joked about real cigarette availability, noting tokens were required for purchases and that rules were inconsistently enforced.

Kalisha warned Luke about staff language and procedures, telling him to avoid being called "Sport" by Dr. Dan Hendricks and other techs who administered shots, throat cultures, and a rumored "tank" test. She emphasized compliance to remain in Front Half, explaining that Back Half was a one-way destination where kids did not return. Luke observed multiple dorm doors and posters and asked how many kids were there; Kalisha said five, including them.

When Maureen Alvorson, a tired housekeeper in a brown uniform, struggled with a laundry cart, Kalisha and Luke helped her into the lounge. Maureen recognized Luke from a day sheet and mentioned waking another resident, Nicky (Nick Wilholm), for a one o’clock appointment. After Maureen moved on, Kalisha insisted Luke be kind to Maureen, revealing that Maureen had heavy debts, a possibly serious health worry, and vague thoughts about a baby.

In the lounge, Kalisha quizzed Luke on his abilities and explained TP (telepathy) and TK (telekinesis), saying most kids were one or the other and that she was TP. Luke, recalling past incidents of objects moving, tacitly accepted he might be TK. Through the window, they saw George Iles shooting hoops and Iris Stanhope on a trampoline; Kalisha said both were TKs and newer arrivals than she was. She advised Luke not to expect lasting friendships in Front Half because kids came and went quickly.

Kalisha declined to discuss her abduction but described Iris as someone who wanted to believe the Institute’s reassurances. Before going outside, Kalisha kissed Luke, explaining it was not romantic but possibly a favor, as she had recently had chicken pox after arriving unvaccinated and had been quarantined her first week. She pointed out a "SHOTS FOR DOTS" poster that promised quicker return home for faster test performance, calling such messaging manipulative.

Kalisha led Luke toward the playground to meet George and Iris, jokingly calling them "the Fockers," while Luke processed the revelations: the Institute’s Maine location, the Front Half versus Back Half divide, the testing regime under Hendricks and techs, and the presence of other abducted children with TP/TK abilities.