Chapters 7, 8, 9 and 10 Summary

In Chapter 7, the next day, Veronika re-encounters Zedka, who tells her of a group of inmates called The Fraternity who prefer the safe life inside the asylum to life outside, who manipulate both the doctors and the asylum's owners in order to stay, and who are more likely able to help Veronika get her pills. Veronika's attempts to connect with The Fraternity, however, result in her being continually rebuffed and teased. She takes refuge in the garden where, while walking in the snow, she realizes that at least part of the reason her life became unlivable was that she made it so, repeatedly choosing security over freedom, feeling and adventure. This realization makes her determined to take action against The Fraternity, and she confronts its apparent leader, slapping his face but getting no reaction. Following the incident, Veronika fights down a...