Contents
Chapter 49
Overview
In a flashback, Ella is suspended after Anton viciously attacks Brittany, inflaming rumors he is her boyfriend. At home, Ella’s abusive, hoarding mother locks her in a closet after a brutal argument. Ella clutches a paperclip on a chain from Anton and resolves to free herself, hinting at the origins of her resilience and resourcefulness.
Summary
The chapter shifts to a past timeline from Ella’s perspective after a school incident where Anton viciously beats Brittany. Rumors miscast Anton as Ella’s boyfriend and blame Ella for provoking the violence. The police take Anton away, and Ella is suspended while fearing potential charges.
On the tense drive home, Ella’s mother berates her, calling Anton dangerous and accusing Ella of being a bad influence. Ella defends Anton, recalling that Brittany provoked the confrontation, while privately worrying about Anton’s fate.
At their cluttered, foul-smelling home, the argument escalates. Ella’s mother condemns men and blames Ella for driving partners away. Ella counters, accusing her mother’s behavior of isolating them and ruining relationships, which further enrages her mother.
The confrontation turns physical when Ella’s mother shoves her into the hall closet and locks the door, threatening to leave her there all night without dinner. Isolated and frightened, Ella steels herself not to panic.
Ella reaches for a chain Anton gave her, revealing a concealed paperclip she carries. She resolves that, although this is not the first time she has been locked in the closet, it will be the last—foreshadowing her plan to pick the lock and the birth of her self-reliant survival tactics.
Who Appears
- EllaTeen narrator; suspended after Anton’s attack, clashes with abusive mother, locked in closet, resolves to escape.
- Ella’s motherAbusive, hoarding parent; berates Ella, blames her for troubles, locks her in the hall closet.
- Anton PetersonStudent who brutally beats Brittany after she provokes Ella; gives Ella the chain holding a paperclip.
- BrittanyStudent victim of Anton’s assault; suffers severe facial injuries after provoking incident with Ella.
- Mr. GarberSchool principal who meets with Ella’s mother and suspends Ella for a week.