Summary

Chapter 26 – Tobias writes his last entry in the journal he has been keeping on his journey. He signs it with his full name: Adam Tobias Hassler.

Chapter 27 – Ethan drives through town to the fence. There, he discovers the electricity has been cut, and the gate through which firewood expeditions occur, and scouts enter and leave, is wide open. The sound of thousands of abbies can be heard in the woods all around the fence.

Analysis

In the chilling final part of “Wayward”, the two truths that Ethan must learn are about to hit him in the face. First, he cannot cross Pilcher without consequences. Turning away from Pilcher means Pilcher turning away from the people of town. As such, he shuts off the electricity to the fences, and throws the gates wide open for the abbies. The second is that Theresa’s time spent...