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Chapter 34 left off with Wanda being sedated so that she could be taken back into the caves. When she wakes up, she finds herself in Ian and Kyle’s room. Ian, being very cute, offers his room for her to stay in (“…until things can be decided.“) Kyle’s tribunal is scheduled to be at first light. The human drugs have made Wanderer dizzy and nauseous, so Ian gets breakfast for her. He brings back a roll for her, but then hands her a bag of …Cheetos! This brings us to a cute exchange between the two:
Wanderer: Thank you, for more than the cheetos, you know. For so much.
Ian: You’re more than welcome, Wanda.
As Ian helps Wanda walk to the game room where the tribunal is being held, Melanie reveals her suspicions that Ian likes her too much. Wanderer shrugs it off.
At the tribunal, Jeb calls for someone to speak against Kyle. Ian stands and says that Kyle was warned to leave Wanderer alone and that Jeb’s rules state that anybody who did not want to follow that rule could leave. He asks that Kyle shouldn’t be killed, because Wanderer isn’t dead, but that he should instead leave their community. Some of the humans voice that they do not think this is such a good idea because there is a chance that Kyle will get caught by the souls and lead Seekers back to the caves. One of Kyle’s supporters expresses that “She isn’t one of us.“, but Jared defends Wanderer, then asks for her side of the story. Melanie is extremely happy that Jared is finally showing signs of kindness towards her, but admittedly a bit disappointed that he used Wanda’s name.
Wanderer defends Kyle, by saying it was all an accident and none of her injuries were his fault. Ian and Kyle call her out on her lies, and Maggie states that: “I only consider it murder if something human is killed.”
The meaning of “human” is disputed, but before the debate escalates, Sharon calls for a vote on Kyle’s sentence. The majority of the people in the room are on Kyle’s side, save for those who she has become close with (Ian, Jared, Doc…). Jeb goes with the majority, but issues a stern warning: “Anyone who tries to hurt Wanda again will not get a tribunal, they will get a burial.” He slaps the butt of his gun for emphasis, and then in a complete juxtaposition, suggests a game of soccer.
