Avery and Jameson interpret Tobias Hawthorne’s clue, “Don’t breathe,” by searching every smoke detector in Hawthorne House, but the search yields nothing. Jameson enjoys the difficulty, and the failed attempt leads Avery to ask about the Hawthorne brothers’ childhood competitions.

Jameson explains that Tobias Hawthorne’s Saturday morning games felt different from the pressure and expectations placed on the boys. Those puzzles made Jameson, Grayson, and Xander feel noticed and already extraordinary, rather than simply molded into future Hawthornes. Avery wonders whether Tobias left this new game to remind Avery of her own worth after Eve’s arrival made Avery question why Tobias chose Avery.

Jameson tells Avery that Tobias left three games when Tobias died, and that the first two revealed something about why Tobias chose Avery. The implication reinforces the idea that the current game may be another message from Tobias, not just a puzzle.

The next day, Oren clears Avery to attend school as long as Oren stays close. Avery goes partly to appear strong in front of the paparazzi and partly to provoke Toby’s kidnapper into making another move, because Avery cannot stop worrying about Toby.

At school, Avery works in the Archive until Rebecca arrives upset that Avery told Thea about Rebecca’s distress. Thea follows and pushes Rebecca to stop pretending to be fine. Recognizing that the conversation is private and important, Avery leaves.

In the hallway, an office aide sends Avery to the headmaster’s office. Avery worries that the school may have learned about Avery’s knife, but instead the secretary gives Avery a delivered box. Avery recognizes the elegant handwriting on the package as familiar.