When the escapees emerge back into Traderville, they find it has been deserted, with all the stalls boarded up and abandoned upon the Vandals’ approach. Acid rain falls from the sky onto Spaz and he lets it. Ryter emerges, leaning heavily on his cane and newly banged up; Lanaya and Little Face have gone to get the takvee. Spaz feels shame at having frozen in front of the battle and having to be shaken free by Lanaya in order to run. Ryter believes the Latch Queen was just using them to expose her rival, Vida Bleek, and distract him from her attack. Now that there is a real fight under way, she won’t be sparing any Vandals to guard his family, so they have an opening to see Bean.

They program their way in the vehicle to Spaz’s family unit’s address, and Ryter falls asleep immediately. Lanaya says she noticed both sides (Furies and Vandals) had the opportunity to cancel them but did not take it; instead, they all helped the group survive and safely flee. Spaz questions whether this is because she is a proov, but she thinks it could be something to do with Spaz: “The Latch Queen was expecting you.