Chapter 21
Contains spoilersOverview
As Train 9956 departs Richmond without a sighting of Luke Ellis, Trevor Stackhouse coordinates watchers for the next stop and hardens tactics at the Institute. Dr. Hendricks resists punishing Avery Dixon with the immersion tank, but Stackhouse orders it anyway, and Mrs. Sigsby—exhausted yet resolute—overrides concerns, demanding Avery be tanked and sent to Back Half as retribution.
Summary
In the early morning hours, Trevor Stackhouse receives a call from Andy Fellowes reporting that Train 9956 has left Richmond with no sign of Luke Ellis. Stackhouse confirms Wilmington as the next target, estimates arrival near six, and reviews the placement of watchers, stressing that operatives must appear calm and nonthreatening under the “runaway boy, concerned folks” cover story.
Dr. Hendricks arrives looking exhausted and asks for updates. Stackhouse probes whether Avery Dixon has been subjected to the immersion tank. Hendricks, offended, insists Avery has not and emphasizes Avery’s high TP value and the danger of harming or amplifying his abilities by using the tank.
Stackhouse dismisses Hendricks’s objections and orders Avery to be tanked harshly by Zeke (“the Greek”) upon his next shift, with explicit instructions to push the experience to the brink but not kill Avery. He adds that Avery should then be moved to Back Half, treating the punishment as payback for helping Luke escape.
Mrs. Sigsby appears at the office doorway, looking ghostlike from fatigue yet decisive. She endorses Stackhouse’s orders in full, stating that even if Avery’s abilities are damaged, “he needs to pay.” With that, the decision to punish Avery and escalate to Back Half is finalized while the external manhunt proceeds toward Wilmington.
Who Appears
- Trevor Stackhouse
Institute deputy; coordinates surveillance at train stops and orders severe punishment for Avery Dixon, including tanking and transfer to Back Half.
- Andy Fellowes
tech/operations; reports Train 9956 leaving Richmond without a Luke sighting and tracks timing to Wilmington.
- Dr. Hendricks
Institute physician; objects to using the tank on Avery due to his high TP value but is overruled.
- Mrs. Sigsby
Institute director; exhausted but decisive, fully authorizes tanking Avery and sending him to Back Half despite risks.
- Avery Dixon
young telepath at the Institute; targeted for punitive immersion tanking and Back Half transfer for aiding Luke’s escape (discussed, not present).
- Zeke ("the Greek")
staff enforcer; designated to carry out the tanking of Avery (discussed, not present).
- Luke Ellis
runaway subject; remains at large with no sighting at Richmond (discussed, not present).