Unwind

The surviving clapper admitted to the incident at the harvest camp. Risa, one of the survivors, is “riddled with steel pins like a human voodoo doll” (320). She visits Connor and tells him she is paralyzed. He suggests that it is fixable. She agrees, but points out that it would require a transplant from an Unwind, which is something she doesn’t want. She further explains, “They can’t unwind me now—there are laws against unwinding the disabled” (321). Connor tells her he won’t touch her with his new hand, but she tells him she knows it is his hand now. “It holds no fear for her now, because the shark has been tamed by the soul of a boy. No—the soul of a man” (322).

Lev is in a padded cell with a steel blast door. He’s been wrapped up and suspended in the air. “They’ve given him four transfusions. They won’t tell him how many more he’ll need until the explosive is out of his system. They won’t tell him anything” (323). Pastor Dan comes to visit him. He asks Lev if he knows a boy named Cyrus Finch. He tells Lev, “It just so happens that he’s come forward and is making a big stink—and since he knew you, people are listening” (325). CyFi is speaking out against unwinding. He testified before Congress.

Lev points out that clappers always make the news. Pastor Dan replies, “Their actions make the news—the destruction they’ve caused—but nobody ever cares who a clapper is. […] But you’re different from those others, Lev. You’re a clapper who didn’t clap” (326). People are confused. They don’t know if Lev is a monster or a hero. Pastor Dan also tells Lev he won’t be unwound because the explosive stuff in his system will never be completely gone.

Lev’s parents won’t take him back, but his brother has agreed to take him. It makes Lev happy to know he will be with the one person who stood up for him before he understood why. Finally, Lev asks Pastor Dan why he isn’t dressed like he normally is. Dan tells Lev he left the church. “I still very much believe in God—just not a god who condones human tithing” (329). Lev wonders if he can believe in that God, too.

A ranch in Texas—the place where Harlan Dunfee—better known as Humphrey—grew up. Emby is there. “He’s been living here at the ranch for some time now, waiting for this day. He has Harlan’s right lung. Today, he gives it back to Harlan” (330). The Admiral is at the ranch. He’s been waiting for Harlan’s big party. “[T]he Dunfees are putting their son together in the only meaningful way they can” (331). Everyone at the party wears tags with the names of body parts on them.

Miles away, Connor takes care of the new Unwinds coming to the Graveyard. The kids listen to him. He rallies them. “We’ll free kids from buses, before they even arrive. We will have a voice, and we will use it. We will make ourselves heard” (333). Later, Connor listens to Risa play piano. “At last, he allows himself the wonderful luxury of hope” (335).