Flawed

Juniper and Art are worried when they notice Celestine’s bruised and disheveled state. Angered by their deception, she does not let them explain what they are doing together and runs home. She arrives home one minute before Mary May’s watch starts beeping.

That night, Celestine is woken up by a call from Pia. The journalist wants to know who else was there on her Branding Day, as all information has been wiped from the official records. Celestine does not fully trust her, and bargains for information about Carrick. Pia accepts, so Celestine tells her that Mr. Berry was there and recorded the proceedings on his phone.

The next day, Pia comes for her final interview. She is on edge, having shed her perfect journalist persona. Celestine tells her about the previous day’s ambush and warns her that the teenagers photographed her sixth brand. In return, Pia tells her about other cases before hers that may prove Judge Crevan’s corruption. She explains that Celestine’s case has brought public attention to the Flawed cause as a human rights issue. Pia shows her articles about reforming the system that paints the young girl as a symbol of hope. One journalist especially, Lisa Life, has penned several articles in support of Celestine.

Pia explains that she has been unable to find Mr. Berry or any of the guards. She adds that Celestine’s story has helped her “find [her] own voice” (247), and the young girl realizes that Pia is Lisa Life. Before she leaves, the journalist gives Celestine a file with information about Carrick.

Summer is trying on new, mismatched clothes, and Celestine is surprised by her mother’s uncharacteristic choices. Candy Crevan, Judge Crevan’s sister, will be moving into the Tinders’ old house. Summer cannot refuse an invitation to the housewarming despite her distrust of the Crevans, and has decided to silently protest by wearing outrageous clothes. Since she is a professional fashion model, she intends to convince everyone that her outfit is the new fad, so that the guests will copy her and make themselves look ridiculous.

Later, Celestine opens Carrick’s file only to learn that his full name is Carrick Vane and that he is “F.A.B.,” which she assumes means AWOL.

Ms. Dockery, Celestine’s math teacher, starts homeschooling her. She explains that she will give the appearance of teaching Celestine a Guild-approved curriculum, then reveals a tattoo of an “F” on her stomach.

Alpha, as Ms. Dockery asks Celestine to call her, is part of the movement that supports the Flawed. She tells Celestine that Enya Sleepwell is now their leader and can be trusted as long as she can use Celestine to further her cause. Alpha’s own husband is Flawed, which made it impossible for them to adopt children after they learned of her infertility. Now, Alpha fights to legalize Flawed At Birth child adoption, which is what the “F.A.B.” in Carrick’s file referred to.

Flawed At Birth children are born to two Flawed parents, who are not allowed to keep them. They are raised in government facilities and brainwashed to purge the Flawed out of them. Seeking out their birth parents leads to them being branded. Having learned about Carrick’s background, Celestine feels an even stronger connection to him. Alpha assumes Celestine knows where he is, and invites them to attend a meeting with some members of the movement that night.

Mary May lets Celestine know that her week of house arrest is suspended because the Guild determined the incriminating picture was indeed of Juniper. Celestine then calls Mr. Berry to inquire about the video recording. His husband answers and tells her that Mr. Berry went into hiding, but that she already has the video.

Celestine is confused because she does not remember being given the video by Mr. Berry. Later, she calls her granddad and fills him in on the latest events, asking him to go to the meeting with her. They drive to Alpha’s place, which they find out is a luxurious mansion.

Lulu, Alpha’s assistant, takes them to a crowded room with a podium. People stare at Celestine when they recognize her. Flawed speakers are sharing their stories about being separated from their children. Alpha invites Celestine to the stage, and she reluctantly accepts despite not being sure what to say. Before she can speak, the Whistleblowers arrive.

Alpha leads Celestine to hide in a hidden room because the young girl does not want to leave without her grandfather. She is upset that Alpha used her. Alpha is confused when Celestine tells her that advertising the meeting like she did was dangerous.

Celestine meets Professor Bill Lambert, Alpha’s husband, who is also hiding. He is a little drunk, but friendly. He tells her that she is the only person who acts instead of talking, and that is why every side wants to use her to their advantage. He encourages her to live for herself rather than by anyone else’s rules. When he leaves through another door, Celestine notices a Whistleblower in the next room.

The Whistleblower, Marcus, appears to be on Bill and Celestine’s side. Before they leave, Bill tells Celestine that he and Alpha had been preparing to foster Carrick after his graduation, but that Carrick left without warning.

As Celestine and her granddad are driving home, she notices a cut on his head, so they stop at a supermarket to buy medical supplies.

While waiting in line to pay, Celestine accidentally stands in between two other Flawed men, which is prohibited. A policeman stops them as customers watch. Celestine reminds him that it is not his place to arrest them, as they have not committed a crime. The tension escalates and a riot ensues.

Celestine is injured in the riot. When she comes to, she realizes that Carrick is carrying her away.

Celestine wakes up at home. Juniper tells her that their parents are trying to prevent Judge Crevan, who is downstairs, from taking Celestine away. She also explains that she and Art bonded over letting her down that day on the bus. She now wants to do the right thing and help Celestine escape.

Celestine says goodbye to Juniper and Summer before leaving through the backdoor to go find Carrick. Judge Sanchez, Judge Crevan’s fiercest opponent, stops her in the street. She hands Celestine her card, telling the young girl to find her when she needs her help taking him down. Finally, Celestine runs.