Five Survive

Arthur continues to protest, and Reyna and others join in, pointing out how messed up the situation is becoming. However, Oliver insists. Finally, Reyna asks if Oliver will abide by the results of the vote, and he says he will. He also insists that Red does not get a vote. Arthur says he will not participate.

Red turns her back on the group, closing her eyes to think about her mom. Arthur holds her hand for support. Oliver explains that if they want Red to leave, they have to write yes on the paper, and if they want her to stay, they have to write no. Oliver tells everyone to stand away from each other so no one can see someone else’s answer. Afterward, they put the papers in a bowl for anonymity. Everyone notes their answer, and Red observes them.

Oliver reads the votes aloud. By the end of the chapter, Red has two yeses and two nos. Red wonders who the second yes was.

The last vote is a no. Although Red is relieved, she cannot stop thinking about the second yes, hurting at the thought of one of her friends signing yes to her death. Maddy goes to hug Red, and Red tells her she is fine. Simon asks what they should do now. Oliver picks up the bowl and walks toward Red. He apologizes to her before lunging at her and dragging her outside. Red screams no, and everyone screams at Oliver, but he is too fast and pushes Red out.

Red is outside, on the floor, and inside the RV, everyone is fighting with Oliver to get to Red. Outside on her knees, Red cannot stop looking at Joyce’s and Don’s bodies. Red notices the red dot on her chest and expects to be shot, thinking of her mom and her own hateful last words, which bring her shame. However, no one shoots. Suddenly, Arthur is there, sweeping Red back inside the RV.

Arthur tells Maddy to shut the door, and Red hears screaming. She realizes it is her.

Arthur soothes Red, repeating that she is safe. Maddy holds her hand, and Reyna hands her a glass of water.

Oliver asks Red why she didn’t get shot, pointing out that she was outside for three minutes. Oliver keeps asking, and Red screams that she doesn’t know. Oliver assumes she is working with the sniper since she is safe. Arthur warns Oliver, and Maddy asks how that’s possible since Red is the witness. Oliver explains Red must be the mole because she directed Reyna, held the walkie-talkie, knew about the escape plan, and didn’t get shot. Reyna, annoyed at Oliver, asks why Red would work with the sniper, and he says it’s because she needs money.

Oliver tells Red to hold her hands up and keep them there. He goes and gets the phones out of the pan and turns on “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath. He argues that since Red is immune to getting shot, they can use this to their advantage. Simon asks if Oliver wants to send Red out for help, but Oliver argues they cannot do that since evidence points to Red being the mole. Red denies his accusations.

Oliver explains his idea: Since Maddy and Red are the same height and build, Maddy will impersonate Red and go out to get help. Since the sniper will not shoot Red, he will not shoot Maddy either. Maddy tells Oliver that she cannot do it, and Reyna points out that it is a dangerous plan. However, Oliver insists Maddy can do it. Red shouts at Maddy to not listen to him, but he persuades Maddy by telling her she must save them. Finally, she agrees. He tells Maddy to get the keys from Don’s hands, get in their truck, and go get help.

Red argues with Oliver, noting that none of his plans have worked and he is putting Maddy’s at risk. Oliver ignores her and asks her to take off her clothes. When he realizes she is not listening to him, he takes a knife and threatens her with it.

Reyna tells Oliver to put the knife down, and Red thinks about how she does not recognize the Oliver before her: “[S]he didn’t know this version of him, the person the red dot had turned him into” (302). Finally, Red agrees and asks for clothes to change into. Simon gets clothes for her, but when he goes to hand them to Red, Oliver tells him to put them on the floor. Simon checks with Red, who nods. Oliver tells Red to change, and Arthur tells him to at least let her go in the bathroom. He says no, thinking that Red will communicate with the sniper. Red strips and changes in front of everyone, refusing to feel ashamed when she knows what “real shame” feels like. Red notes that Simon, Reyna, and Arthur stood up to Oliver, but Oliver has the weapon and the power.

Oliver urges Maddy to go to the bathroom to change. Once both girls are dressed, he looks between them and notes that Maddy’s hair is too long, so he cuts it. Then he tells Maddy to make her hair messy like Red’s. He gives Maddy instructions about sending help back to them, and Simon points out that they are on McNair Cemetery Road.

Arthur and Red try to discourage Maddy from going, but Oliver shouts over them and threatens them with the knife. Maddy assures Red that it is okay: She wants to do it for everyone. She stands by the door, and Red wonders if she should say goodbye. Oliver cuts off the music and pretends that he is talking with Red: “‘Red? Red?’ Oliver said loudly, not looking at her. ‘Where are you going?’” (312). Maddy leaves out the front door, pretending to be Red. Maddy gets the keys and walks over to the truck. When she touches the handle, she gets shot.