Chapter 34
Contains spoilersOverview
Inside the Institute, Kalisha, Avery, and the remaining kids despair over the deadlocked Front Half door and their inability to affect staff who know to block them. After debating their limits, Kalisha proposes a final coordinated effort to reach someone outside. The children unite with the debilitated Ward A kids, form their capsule, and collectively call out to Luke, far away amid the gunfight in South Carolina.
Summary
As violence began unfolding in South Carolina, Kalisha and her group sat despondent near the access door to Front Half, which they confirmed was deadlocked. Nicky suggested trying to overwhelm the staff psychically as they had the red caretakers, but Avery, exhausted and aged by strain, said he had already tried to reach Gladys and had been repelled. Avery explained that when targets know to expect a telepathic push, they can block it.
Kalisha surveyed the Ward A kids, who wandered aimlessly—one doing cartwheels, another banging his head, Pete Littlejohn acting out—but still able to respond to a call. She proposed combining forces. Avery warned that at best they could make staff feel sick or dizzy, unlike distant targets such as the bomb-maker or the preacher, who had been vulnerable because they were unaware. George confirmed that awareness enabled the staff to keep the children out.
Helen asked if there was anything they could do. Avery had no plan, but Kalisha pointed out that, while they were trapped, someone they knew was not: Luke. She urged a collective effort that would require everyone, including the Ward A exiles.
Despite exhaustion, Avery agreed. He, Kalisha, Nicky, George, Helen, Katie, and eventually Iris linked hands, and the Ward A kids drifted in to complete the group. They formed the capsule configuration, and the hum of shared power rose, alarming staff in Front Half, though the pressure was not aimed at them.
At the same time, in South Carolina, Tim had just shot Michelle Robertson, Louis Grant and Tom Jones were lifting their rifles to strafe the sheriff’s station, and Billy Wicklow pinned Denny Williams’s hand with Sheriff John nearby. In that moment, the children directed their combined plea outward and called to Luke.
Who Appears
- Kalisha Benson
Institute kid; leads the plan to unite everyone and call out to Luke.
- Avery Dixon
telepath; exhausted; explains why aware targets can block them; participates in the capsule call.
- Nicky
Institute kid; suggests targeting staff like the red caretakers; links in for the group effort.
- George
Institute kid; articulates that aware staff can keep them out; joins the capsule.
- Helen
Institute kid; asks what they can do; joins the capsule.
- Katie
Institute kid; links hands and participates in the capsule.
- Iris
Institute kid; previously noted the dead lock; joins the group effort.
- Ward A kids
debilitated exiles; respond to the call and add power to the capsule.
- Gladys
Front Half staff; rebuffs Avery’s telepathic reach; discussed only.
- Luke Ellis
Institute escapee; the group’s target for telepathic contact.
- Tim Jamieson
ally in South Carolina; concurrently shoots Michelle Robertson; referenced.
- Michelle Robertson
attacker; shot by Tim; referenced.
- Louis Grant
Gold team gunman; raising rifle during the South Carolina firefight; referenced.
- Tom Jones
Gold team gunman; raising rifle during the South Carolina firefight; referenced.
- Billy Wicklow
ally; stands on Denny Williams’s hand; referenced.
- Denny Williams
involved in South Carolina standoff; pinned by Billy; referenced.
- Sheriff John
at the scene with Billy; referenced.
- Westin
preacher; prior distant target used as example; discussed only.
- Pete Littlejohn
Ward A kid; acting out but present; joins when called.