Thomas questions Newt, but he seems to change and asks them rationally to please leave. Some Cranks come to Newt’s rescue and try to intimidate the group. Minho calls the Crank leader a psycho and the man tries to cut Thomas across the face. Newt threatens them all with the Launcher and shoots the Crank. Newt again asks them to leave. Minho refuses, but Thomas tells them they should leave. Minho is upset. They head out. “Away from Newt. Away from his friend and his friend’s diseased brain” (185).

When they exit the bowling alley, the guards who escorted them there are missing. They hurry out of the Central Zone. When they get out of the Zone, the missing guards come running their way, telling them to run. The guards explain as they run that the Cranks were trying to eat them. Thomas and the others run out of the Palace and straight to the Berg. Minho is upset about Newt and asks what will happen to him. “Thomas had no idea how to respond, no way to express the sorrow that filled his chest….