Chapters 1 through 5 Summary

As the story opens, Matthias and Percy are asleep at the Niedler School when the Population Police arrive, rousing everyone from their beds and forcing them into the cafeteria. Matthias and Percy have lived on the run for so long they are quickly awake and grab possessions, such as their shoes. The two boys consider running but can't bring themselves to leave Alia behind. When they reach the dining hall, Percy and Matthias find Alia but by then it's too late to try to escape. They listen to a commander of the Population Police as he tells them they are worthless. This man then tells them their country has a new leader and they'll be given an opportunity to work for their country. The children are then ordered to the waiting trucks. Percy and Matthias have enough presence of mind to...