Chapter 30
Contains spoilersOverview
Nick Wilholm led the children from Back Half, including Ward A residents, to the frozen Front Half door to attempt escape. They formed a joined psychic circle to amplify their power, but Avery Dixon could not unlock the door because the electronic locks had been disabled. The failure deflated the group, highlighting their entrapment and desperation. The chapter ends with the children out of options and morale slipping.
Summary
Nick Wilholm guided the mixed group of Institute children—rebels and Ward A inmates—down the sloped access tunnel toward the Front Half door. Some Ward A kids followed while others lingered, with Pete Littlejohn repeatedly slapping his head and chanting, the echo amplifying the distress in the tunnel.
Nick ordered everyone to join hands, including the unresponsive Ward A children, believing the shared contact would draw them in and strengthen their collective power. Kalisha Benson recognized this as their only remaining strategy and urged Avery Dixon to try to break the lock.
As the circle formed, the psychic hum rose to a piercing intensity. The children experienced a sense of clean, collective power that contrasted with past forced “sparkler nights.” Even the Ward A kids appeared to feel and enjoy the surge, growing quiet and smiling.
The door creaked and settled in its frame under the pressure of their combined effort, but did not open. Exhausted, Avery admitted he could not unlock it; it felt as if the lock “wasn’t even there.” Iris echoed the futility, calling the lock “dead,” and Nick concluded the locks had been frozen.
George tried to lighten the moment with gallows humor, while Helen broke down, questioning the group’s usefulness. Nick sought ideas from Kalisha and Avery, but neither had a plan, leaving the group stymied at the sealed steel barrier.
Who Appears
- Nick Wilholm
rebel leader among the children; organized the group, directed the handholding circle, sought alternatives when the lock held.
- Kalisha Benson
rebel child; prompted Avery to break the lock, reflected on the collective power and their limited options.
- Avery Dixon
powerful psychic child; attempted to unlock the Front Half door but failed due to frozen/dead locks, left exhausted.
- George
rebel child; communicated telepathically, made a bleak joke when the attempt failed.
- Helen
rebel child; broke down crying and voiced despair about their usefulness.
- Iris
Ward A child; chanted that the lock was “dead,” underscoring the frozen state of the mechanism.
- Pete Littlejohn
Ward A child; repeatedly hit his head and chanted, adding to the tension.
- Ward A children
damaged residents; joined the circle, strengthened the psychic effort, but could not overcome the frozen door.