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In Chapter 8 there is a moment where Benson realizes that he is having fun spending time with his gang, that he feels like he belongs and that he finally has friends. He feels this way a few other times in the book, but brushes the feelings aside so he can focus on his escape. What would you do? As a foster kid with nothing to escape to and no reason to leave, other than freedom, would you stay or would you run?

I'm trying to put myself in Bensons' shoes and it seems like he has everything he has ever wanted at Maxfield Academy, besides being able to leave. He wanted to stay in one place rather than move around. He wanted to have friends and maybe even a girl friend. He wanted to go to dances and be able to play sports or be part of a "group". Theoretically Maxfield Academy is everything he has ever wanted. One of the Society members even asked him where he would go if he left or who he would call. He couldn't think of a single person. Why leave? What is the drive for freedom when you don't have anything to run to?

I have to admit that the logical side of me would have a hard time leaving the school when all I have to look forward to is another string of foster homes and a lousy public school system. I'm not saying that Maxfield Academy is ideal or that there aren't some awful and wacky things going on there, but Benson's alternatives aren't much better and he has almost no chance of succeeding.

Amen. I understand that he is freaked out about the goings-on in the grander Maxfield scheme. However, I think Benson is an idiot to put off enjoying having friends and a place to belong. First of all, I fail to see why he can't do both. Why can't he enjoy the people he is with, while also trying to figure a way out of the nightmare that is the academy itself? I just think he needs to take in the good parts of the situation, while they are there to be had.

Good point, he very well could enjoy himself while he's plotting his escape. I think what holds him back is himself. It seems like Benson is a stubborn type that has trouble masking his true feelings. He knows that there's something inherently wrong about the situation, and he can't get that off of his brain.

I think it's interesting that you bring this up, Jaree, because I started to wonder the same things. I felt conflicted when I started to think that maybe it wouldn't be so bad if they had stayed. They get good food, they have a permanent place to stay, and they have friends (or whatever they'd call their gang members). And they get to play paintball (that hobby can get expensive!). Plus, Benson made a good point - they can't hold them in there forever, right?

Overall, I'm just not so sure Benson is capable. If he approached it like the TV show "Survivor", it could be fun for him, especially as he plans an escape. But I don't think he could outwit, outlast and outplay.