Finding the delivery gate ajar and a motorcycle unattended, Wren debates whether it is fate or a trap and tells Kaine Sutler to return to the barracks before sprinting to the bike. She starts it and rides out through the gate into the night, aiming left toward E Ward’s forests to hide. As she accelerates, she hears a second engine and realizes Cross Redden is pursuing her on a faster speed bike.

Cross closes in and orders Wren to pull over. Wren sees a glowing perimeter force field ahead and understands she will die if she hits it. She attempts to stop at the last moment, crashes, and suffers cuts and road burn. Cross approaches, confirms the field regularly catches deserters, and offers a stark choice: leave the Program and be returned to the stockade indefinitely, or comply.

Desperate to avoid imprisonment, Wren tries to bargain and even tests whether sexual leverage could win her release to her ward, but Cross rebuffs and mocks the attempt, saying he does not sleep with recruits. Cornered, Wren agrees to remain in the Program, and Cross orders her back on the bike.

Hours later, Cross and Xavier Ford wake the barracks with lights and assemble the recruits, publicly blaming Wren for stealing a Command vehicle. As punishment, Cross orders the entire cohort to run laps until sunrise, threatening expulsion for anyone who stops. The recruits direct anger and contempt at Wren during the grueling run, with Kess, Bryce Granger, Betima, Ivy, and others voicing resentment, while Lyddie sounds disappointed.

Wren endures the punishment, avoids eye contact with Cross, and fights the impulse to look at exit gates. By the end, she resolves not to attempt another reckless escape. If she tries again, it will be planned and methodical rather than impulsive.