Contents
Chapter Thirteen
Overview
Sam decides the compound’s contrivance is untenable and leaves, despite Lily’s determination to stay for prizes and recognition. Farewells expose fractures: Andrew clings to hope, Becca stays to defeat Tom, and Sam reveals the desert’s brutal beginnings, including Tom’s violence and Alexandre’s disappearance. Lily remains, now alone with her choice.
Summary
Lily and Sam discuss the new freedom to share personal details. Sam argues that life in the compound is artificial and urges leaving immediately. Lily resists, admitting she wants to stay for prizes and a chance at lasting recognition. Sam reveals his past—two brothers killed in the war, estrangement from his father, and profound loneliness before joining the show.
The debate escalates when Sam breaks a window in frustration, then patches it. He decides to leave. Andrew gives Sam an emotional farewell, promising to look after Lily and babbling about contacting Candice and earning new rewards. Becca coolly tells Sam she’ll stay only to ensure Tom loses, revealing she’s tracked time (Tuesday, September 20) using a notebook and lip liner.
Lily meets Sam for a quiet goodbye. She asks him not to watch her outside and deflects plans to meet after. Walking to the boundary together, Lily gives Sam Susie’s duck feather. At the edge, Sam recounts their desert ordeal: scattered drop-offs, finding Carlos and Gav, Tom’s dog attack and bone trophy, a brutal fight between Andrew and Tom halted by a disembodied warning, Sam elected leader, and Alexandre lost after scouting alone.
Sam leaves without a kiss, telling Lily not to stay too long. Lily stays, wandering the compound, sunburnt and shaken, retreating to a linens room to be alone, convinced she can still win even without Sam.
Who Appears
- LilyNarrator; refuses to leave, admits prize-driven motives, gives Sam Susie’s feather, resolves to win despite his departure.
- SamWants authenticity; reveals brothers died in the war; breaks a window, fixes it, recounts desert ordeal, then leaves.
- AndrewEmotional at Sam’s exit; talks of Candice and restoring the house; promises to look after Lily.
- BeccaCoolly supports Sam but stays to ensure Tom loses; has tracked time with a notebook and lip liner.
- TomOffstage threat; in desert backstory killed a dog, fought Andrew, vied for leadership; Becca aims to outlast him.
- AlexandreMissing contestant from desert; split off to scout and never rejoined the group.