Contents
Chapter Twelve
Overview
In the aftermath of the fire, the house sinks into apathy and filth until Becca forces a communal task: disclose sexual partners. Andrew’s confession of affairs with Eloise and Carlos shatters Candice, who quietly exits before dawn. With rules lifting at final five, morale collapses further and Andrew retreats.
Summary
After the punishment fire that destroyed the shed and gardens, the six survivors withdraw into silence and blame. Lily and Sam isolate by the ash-covered tennis court; Andrew and Candice hide in their room; Tom lurks in the gray room seeking Becca. Housework and personal tasks cease, and the compound decays into filth as shame and apathy take hold.
Weeks blur. Sam grieves the garden; Tom mourns the shed. Lily, resigned and bruised, senses Sam will eventually leave for a meaningful life outside, while she clings to the compound as her best chance. She notices Candice cutting her hair, suspecting she’s still pursuing Personal Tasks.
Becca finally intervenes, gathering everyone for a Communal Task: reveal sexual partners since arrival. Declarations begin—Becca: none; Sam and Lily: each other; Andrew and Candice: each other; Tom: Mia, Vanessa, Sarah. The screen stays red until Andrew adds Eloise and Carlos, turning it green. Andrew flees; Candice chases him, then returns shattered.
That night, Candice confides in Lily about power, love, and humiliation, kisses Lily briefly, and resolves not to be a joke. By morning she has left the compound. With five remaining—Lily, Sam, Tom, Becca, Andrew—protections lift, the atmosphere darkens, and Andrew collapses into withdrawal, speaking only of Candice.
Who Appears
- LilyNarrator; isolates with Sam, reflects on guilt and dependency; comforts Candice before Candice’s departure.
- CandiceHumiliated by Andrew’s confession; shares a tender, honest talk with Lily, kisses her, and leaves before dawn.
- AndrewReluctant to do the task; admits affairs with Eloise and Carlos; withdraws into the bedroom afterward.
- SamSupports Lily; grieves the lost garden; participates in the task, confirms Lily as partner; suspected Andrew’s affairs.
- BeccaCatalyst who restarts activity by pushing the communal task; claims no partners; appears calculating and composed.
- TomBadly burned and altered; supports doing the task; lists past partners, drawing disgust; remains detached and watchful.