Unwind

The chapter proclaims that “No one knows how it happens. No one knows how it’s done” (287), referencing the Unwind process. “What does it take to unwind the unwanted” (288). Apparently, it takes three hours and 12 surgeons.

Roland asks a nurse if they are putting him under. “By law, we’re required to keep you conscious through the entire procedure” (288), she tells him. She explains that his blood is being replaced as they speak. He says, “I hate this. I hate you. I hate all of you” (289). Her reply? “I understand” (289). They begin taking him apart, piece by piece, though he cannot feel anything. At first he doesn’t want to talk to the nurse, but soon he can’t stop talking about everything he ever did. After an hour and forty-five minutes, the nurse tells him they have to stop talking now. Soon, the doctors tell him he will feel something in his scalp. “It’s the last time they talk to him. After that, the doctors talk like Roland is no longer there” (292).

The tithes are taking a nature walk. The pastor “speaks as if every word out of his mouth were a pearl of wisdom” (294). On the walk back, Lev comes face to face with Connor. The pastor shoos Connor away from Lev. He tells Lev not to worry—Connor will be unwound that afternoon., shocking Lev. “Connor’s unwinding must not be allowed…and it’s in Lev’s power to stop it” (296). He rushes to talk to his companions. They aren’t ready to detonate, so Lev tells them the counselors know about them. They agree to meet at 1pm to carry out their plan. Lev looks in his cubby for the detonators, frantic. Another tithe tells him he is at the wrong cubby. One of the counselors comes in and tells Lev to sit down.

The counselor says Lev seems upset. Lev tells him he’s being tithed and that should be enough of a reason to be upset, adding, “I just don’t like being around other kids right now. I’d rather prepare for this alone, okay?” (299). Lev sees the time is getting closer to 1pm, so he tries to get out of the conversation, but they want to show him some relaxation exercises.

Two kids approach a guard. They tell him they need to bring lunch to the band. He doesn’t believe them, but he doesn’t want to get in trouble if they are telling the truth. He lets them through. “He doesn’t know that although they went into the stairwell, they never brought the food to the band—they just ditched the plates. And he never noticed the little round Band-Aids on their palms” (302).

The guards come for Connor. They tell him he is a problem because too many kids look up to him. “Connor tries to imagine himself kicking and screaming his way to the Chop Shop, but what would be the use of that?” (304). He goes willingly without the guards’ hands on him.

One of the clappers, Mai, prepares herself for what’s coming. The other clapper, Blaine, was the one who drugged the five kids in the Graveyard. “[B]ut it was Mai who sealed the hatch of the crate. It was amazing to her that killing could be as easy as closing a door” (306).

Lev finally frees himself from the counselor. He leaves and sees Connor walking toward the Chop Shop. The band stops playing and the keyboard player cries. Kids all around begin clapping for the Akron AWOL. When he hears the clapping, Lev realizes what is going to happen. He runs toward Connor, but Connor enters the Chop Shop. “Lev stands there, petrified with disbelief…And then the world comes to an end” (309) when the two clappers clap.

Risa plummets from the roof top with the rest of the band. Outside, Lev can’t bring himself to clap. “Now he is even a failure as a failure” (310). A moment later, the crowd points to the door of the Chop Shop. Connor comes out. “He’s lost an eye. His right arm is crushed and mangled. But he’s alive!” (311). The kids rise up, attacking the guards.

Lev helps Connor, and one of the kids takes a guard’s tranq gun and shoots Connor so he isn’t in pain.