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As instructed by Doc, Wanderer leaves the hospital. She goes to Jared’s room to collect some clothing and finds herself highly amused by the sleeping positions of Ian and Jamie. Melanie tells her that she should get some sleep, but Wanderer wants to clean her clothes first. She makes her way through the dark corridors that she is mostly able to maneuver through. When she’s just about finished and ready to leave, a familiar voice greets her. At first Wanderer believes it to be Ian, but then she realizes it’s Kyle. She instantly panics, but Melanie orders her to keep quiet, then to grab a rock. Wanderer doesn’t want to use it to defend herself, so Melanie tells her that she will do it. Wanderer attempts to give Melanie control of their body, but she can’t. All the while, the only sound they hear is the river.
Not knowing where Kyle is or if he has any accomplice, Wanderer attempts to escape before she has to fight. She throws some pebbles into the back of the latrine in order to deter Kyle away from the door, but is unsuccessful, however, as Kyle manages to reach her by crossing the pool. As they struggle, Wanderer’s leg is injured by a large rock thrown by Kyle. Melanie instructs her to scream, which she does so piercingly, but Kyle is too strong and pushes her under water. As she can’t budge from his hold, Wanderer decides that she’ll take Kyle down with her. She wraps her legs around his body and in an attempt to free himself from her grasp, the weight ends up making the ground collapse.
Wanderer is able to reach solid ground, but Kyle is still holding on for his life. Melanie wants Kyle to fall as she knows the caves will be safer without him. Wanderer agrees with this fact, but she feels guilty and can’t let that happen, especially since he looks so much like Ian. She helps him up, but in doing so, the ground crumbles more. The chapter ends with Wanderer calling for help.
