Prodigy
Chapter 17: June 9
by Lu, MarieThe chapter opens with a poignant flashback to June’s childhood, where her older brother Metias takes her to visit their parents’ graves. Despite his young age, Metias carries the weight of grief, paying for an elaborate memorial in a society where most are granted only minimal burial rights. This memory parallels Day’s current sorrow over his brother John’s death, emphasizing the shared burden of loss between the two characters. The scene sets a somber tone, highlighting the emotional scars that shape their actions and relationships.
June and Day flee through a dark, wet underground tunnel, escaping the aftermath of a violent confrontation between the Patriots and Republic soldiers. The oppressive atmosphere is underscored by the sounds of their ragged breathing and dripping water, as well as the uncertainty of their pursuers’ fate. June’s feverish state and Day’s silent determination reflect their physical and emotional exhaustion. Their tight grip on each other symbolizes their reliance on one another amidst the chaos, even as unanswered questions about Tess and Anden’s survival linger in June’s mind.
Upon discovering a hidden chamber in the tunnel, the pair finds temporary refuge. The room, equipped with outdated technology and cryptic graffiti, suggests a history of desperate escapes. Day’s familiarity with such spaces hints at his past experiences, while June’s observations reveal her analytical nature. The tension between them is palpable—Day’s hesitation to kiss June and his withdrawn demeanor signal an unspoken shift in their relationship. Their silent meal in the kitchen further underscores the emotional distance, despite their physical closeness.
The chapter closes with an unresolved tension between June and Day. Their reunion is marked by fleeting moments of intimacy, yet Day’s silence and restrained actions suggest deeper conflicts. June’s internal monologue reveals her guilt over past betrayals and her fear of causing harm to those she cares about. The chapter leaves their future uncertain, with the weight of their shared trauma and unspoken emotions hanging heavily between them.
FAQs
1. How does the narrator describe Metias’s emotional state during their visit to their parents’ graves, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
The narrator describes Metias as having a “tight jaw,” “damp and glistening” cheeks, and eyes “heavy with sadness, too old for a seventeen-year-old boy.” This reveals that Metias carries deep emotional burdens and has matured prematurely due to grief. Despite his young age, he takes on adult responsibilities, such as arranging a proper memorial for their parents by paying for a larger cemetery slot and engraved headstones. His emotional restraint (evident in his controlled demeanor) contrasts with his visible sorrow, showing a complex character who balances strength and vulnerability.2. Analyze the significance of the tunnel environment in this chapter. How does it reflect the characters’ physical and emotional states?
Answer:
The dark, wet tunnel with its “drip, drip, drip of ice-cold water” and echoing footsteps mirrors the characters’ exhaustion, uncertainty, and emotional tension. The oppressive darkness parallels their fear of being trapped—both physically (by the collapsed tunnel) and metaphorically (by their circumstances). Day’s cold, rubbery grip and June’s dizziness highlight their physical strain, while the silence between them underscores unspoken conflicts. The tunnel’s isolation forces them to confront their emotions, as seen in their hesitant intimacy and Day’s withdrawn behavior, suggesting unresolved trauma and guilt.3. Why does June feel guilty about Anden’s potential death, and how does this connect to her past actions?
Answer:
June fears Anden may have been assassinated because she played a “double agent” role, echoing a past failure where “someone got killed” due to her actions. Her guilt stems from believing that people who trust her (“cross my path”) meet tragic ends. This reflects her internalized blame for Metias’s death and her struggle with self-worth. The “blood rush in her ears” shows how trauma resurfaces, linking Anden’s fate to her earlier mistakes. Her anxiety highlights her growth—she now recognizes the consequences of her choices, unlike her more reckless younger self.4. What does the hidden chamber reveal about the Patriots’ operations, and how does its design contribute to the atmosphere of the story?
Answer:
The chamber’s clunky monitors, bunk beds, and graffiti (“The only way out is death”) suggest the Patriots operate as a makeshift, desperate resistance. The outdated technology implies limited resources, contrasting with the Republic’s polished halls. The dual tunnel exits emphasize secrecy and paranoia, while the graffiti adds a tone of fatalism. The space feels both utilitarian and eerie, reinforcing the characters’ precarious situation—they’re safe temporarily but surrounded by remnants of others who may have died fleeing. This amplifies the themes of survival and sacrifice.5. How does the interaction between Day and June at the end of the chapter hint at a shift in their relationship?
Answer:
Their physical closeness—holding each other tightly, Day brushing June’s hair—shows lingering affection, but his aborted kiss and silence signal emotional distance. June notices “something has changed,” likely referencing Tess’s absence or Day’s unresolved grief over his brother. The juxtaposition of warmth (shared food, hugs) and restraint (unspoken questions, hesitation) suggests unresolved conflicts. Day’s withdrawn demeanor contrasts with his usual openness, implying trauma or guilt is creating a barrier, leaving their relationship in uncertain, fragile territory.
Quotes
1. “Most of Los Angeles’s civilians—even a good number of the upper class—are assigned a one-square-foot slot in their local cemetery high-rise and a single opaque glass box in which to store a loved one’s ashes. But Metias paid off the cemetery officials and got a four-square-foot slot for Mom and Dad, along with engraved crystal headstones.”
This quote highlights the stark class disparities and the protagonist’s family’s emotional sacrifice in a dystopian society. It introduces the theme of memory, grief, and the lengths people go to honor their loved ones under oppressive systems.
2. “The price people seem to pay for crossing my path.”
A pivotal moment of self-reflection for the narrator, revealing her guilt and trauma over the collateral damage caused by her actions. This encapsulates the recurring theme of unintended consequences in the story.
3. “I want to fall into the purity that is Day, soaking in his simple honesty, his heart that sits open and beating on his sleeve.”
This beautifully captures the narrator’s emotional vulnerability and the contrast between Day’s authenticity and the deception-filled world they inhabit. It represents a key relationship dynamic in the story.
4. “This way to salvation. J. D. Edward, one says. The only way out is death. Maria Márques, says another.”
These contrasting graffiti messages in the tunnel powerfully symbolize the different perspectives on rebellion and survival in their dystopian world. They serve as a microcosm of the larger societal tensions.
5. “Something has changed.”
This brief but impactful statement marks a turning point in the protagonists’ relationship. The ambiguity creates tension while signaling an important shift in their dynamic that will likely drive future plot developments.