Chapters 17-18 Summary

In Chapter 17, August has arrived, bringing more heat. Even the usually empty beaches are crowded, so Alex and Lena meet at 37 Brooks. One day, they are lying in the garden, and Lena mentions the Wilds. Alex says that they could go there. Lena knows going to the Wilds would be punishable by death, but though she's afraid, she decides that she wants to go.

The next evening, Alex and Lena meet at Back Cove, and he gives her instructions about the plan to cross over. Only some parts of the electric fence that surrounds the city are turned on, most times, Alex tells her. A sympathizer, the wife of one of the fence guards, will drug his coffee at Alex's signal so that Alex and Lena can cross over.

Lena makes arrangements with Hana to cover for her, pretending that she's...