Connor is very upset. He did not know his parents were planning this. He decides to run away before the police come to take him. He asks his girlfriend, Ariana, to go with him. At first, she says yes, but then she changes her mind.

Connor leaves home by himself. He wants to stay safe and not be unwound.

Important ideas:

• In this world, parents can choose to unwind their children between 13 and 18 years old.

• Connor is the main character. He does not want to be unwound.

• He runs away to save his life.

This chapter shows how scary the world is and how brave Connor is to try to escape.

Order: A decision or rule given by someone in power.

Signed: Wrote your name on a paper to agree with it.

Run away: Leave home without permission to escape.

Authorities: People in charge (like police or government workers).

Juvey-cops: Special police who take teenagers to be unwound.

Girlfriend: A girl someone is in a romantic relationship with.

Escape: To get away from danger or trouble.

Impulsive: Doing something quickly without thinking about it too much.

Society: A group of people who live under the same rules and culture.

Fate: What will happen in the future, especially something you can't control.

Risa is a good piano player, but she is told she will be unwound. The people in charge say the home has too many kids and not enough space. They also say Risa is not talented enough to keep. This makes her feel scared and angry.

She is put on a bus with other teenagers who are also going to be unwound. Risa does not want to die, but she feels like she has no choice.

Important ideas:

• Risa is another main character.

• She lives in a government home.

• She is being unwound not because she did anything wrong, but because the system doesn't want to care for her anymore.

• She is afraid but strong inside.

  
  

This chapter shows how unfair the world is for children like Risa and helps us understand her situation and feelings.

Lev is not scared—he believes this is his purpose in life. His family and church support this idea, and he feels proud and special. He is travelling with his pastor and parents to the harvest camp (where unwinding happens).

But something surprising happens. Connor, the boy from Chapter One, suddenly runs into the road to escape from the Juvey-cops. A big crash happens, and Lev is caught in the chaos.

Important ideas:

• Lev is a tithe—he believes unwinding is a holy thing.

• He has been taught to accept it and feels proud.

• Connor runs away and causes a crash.

• Lev’s life changes quickly because of this event.

  
  

This chapter shows a very different point of view—Lev believes unwinding is good, while Connor and Risa are trying to escape it.

Lev is confused and shocked. He doesn't understand what is happening. While the adults are distracted, Connor grabs Lev and pulls him into the forest to run away. Connor also helps Risa, who was on the unwind bus.

Lev does not want to go. He tries to escape and even thinks about biting Connor. Lev believes he is doing the right thing by being a tithe, so he doesn’t want to be saved.

Important ideas:

• Connor pulls Lev away to save him.

• Risa also escapes.

• Lev is scared and angry. He does not want to be rescued.

• The three teens are now on the run together.

  
  

This chapter shows how the characters' lives are starting to connect—and how they all see unwinding differently.

Connor, Risa, and Lev are now hiding in the forest after the crash. Connor is worried—he didn’t plan what to do next. He tries to calm everyone down and figure out what to do. He knows they must keep moving so the Juvey-cops don’t find them.

Risa is unsure if she can trust Connor. She asks questions and thinks carefully. She is smart and wants to stay safe.

Lev is angry and scared. He still believes he should be a tithe and does not want to be with them.

Important ideas:

• Connor is trying to be the leader, but he is unsure what to do.

• Risa is careful and smart, trying to stay alive.

• Lev is upset because he thinks being unwound is his purpose.

• All three are now running from the law.

  
  

This chapter shows the beginning of the group's journey together—and that they don’t fully trust each other yet.

Lev is still very upset. He feels tricked and kidnapped by Connor and Risa. He believes being a tithe is what he was born for, and now that has been taken away from him. He thinks Connor is a criminal.

While they are hiding, Lev looks for a chance to escape. He secretly thinks about getting help so he can go back and be unwound. He does not see it as death—he still believes it is the right thing to do.

Important ideas:

• Lev feels scared, confused, and angry.

• He does not trust Connor or Risa.

• He still wants to be unwound because of his beliefs.

• He is planning to get away from them.

  
  

This chapter helps us understand Lev’s thoughts and how deeply his beliefs affect his choices.

4o

Ward: A child who is looked after by the government.

Talented: Having a special skill or ability.

Unwound: Taken apart for body parts to be used by other people.

Budget: A plan for how money is used.

Space: Room or area to live or work in.

Disappointed: Feeling sad because something did not happen the way you wanted.

Transport: To move something or someone from one place to another.

Piano recital: A performance where someone plays piano for others.

Escape: To get away from a place or situation.

Pastor: A leader in a Christian church.

Purpose: The reason something is done; a goal or reason for living.

Proud: Feeling happy about something you did or who you are.

Ceremony: A formal event, often with tradition or religion.

Special: Different in a good way; important.

Crash: A sudden accident where vehicles hit each other.

Chaos: A big mess; when everything is out of control.

Obey: To do what someone tells you to. do.

Beliefs: Ideas you think are true, often related to religion or values.

Dazed: Feeling confused or dizzy after something shocking or painful.

Rescue: To save someone from danger.

Dragged: Pulled someone or something with force.

Escape: To get away from a bad or dangerous place.

Shocked: Very surprised or upset.

Struggles: Tries hard to break free or get away.

Forest: A large area filled with trees.

Panicking: Feeling sudden fear and not thinking clearly.

Unwilling: Not wanting to do something.

Trust: To believe someone will do the right thing.

Tense: Feeling nervous or worried.

Survive: To stay alive or safe in a dangerous situation.

Plan: A set of steps to do something.

Careful: Thinking about what you do so you don’t make mistakes or cause problems.

Conflict: A fight or serious disagreement. Worried: Feeling nervous or afraid something bad might happen.

Escape plan: A plan to get away from a place safely.

Distrust: Not believing someone is honest or safe to be with.

🔹 Kidnapped – Taken away by someone without permission.

🔹 Belief – An idea or value that someone thinks is true, especially about religion.

🔹 Purpose – The reason for something; why something is done.

🔹 Obey – To follow rules or do what someone tells you.

🔹 Escape – To run away from danger or something bad.

🔹 Blame – To say someone did something wrong.

🔹 Guilt – A bad feeling when you think you did something wrong.

🔹 Confused – Not understanding what is happening.

🔹 Struggle – To try very hard to do something difficult or to break free.