"That's
what Panic is all about: no fear."
In
the small, poor town of Carp, New York, Panic has been played because there is
really nothing else to do in the summer. Everyone at the high school pays into
the pot, one dollar for every day that school is in session. Those who don't
participate receive reminders that start gentle but can end quite persuasive.
Only seniors are eligible to play. The day after graduation is when those
wishing to join the game, making their intentions clear by taking part in the
Opening Jump. After the final challenge, only one winner takes the final pot.
Two judges, who remain a secret, plan the games, issue the challenges and award
and deduct points. The unexpected nature of Panic is what draws the
participants in and weeds them out. After the judges receive their payment, the
winner gets the pot, usually amounting to just over $50,000 dollars. In the
seven years of the game, only three people have died. Four, if you count the
year the winner shot himself after losing everything in Vegas.
This
year, the pot is $67,000 dollars. The rules are explained but they are the same
every year. There will be six events throughout the summer. Eliminations are
made after each round. For those who make it to the halfway point, each
challenge will be individualized. Heather Nill is just at the opening jump of
Panic to cheer on her friend, Natalie Velez. She is surprised at the amount of
the pot but her plans include her boyfriend, Matthew Hepley. She keeps looking
for him before the game starts and hasn't received a call or text from him.
Just as the first contestant jumps, Heather spies Matt. She starts making her
way towards him, but soon loses sight of him. When she finally finds him again,
she sees that he is not alone. In fact, he is kissing Delaney O'Brien. She goes
to the edge of the cliff where Natalie is about to jump. Nat wants to know why
Heather is there and seems a bit angry that Heather is joining the game. Before
she can talk herself out of it, Heather announces her name and jumps off of the
cliff.
Natalie
forgives Heather for joining in Panic after a few days and Heather wonders what
she was thinking. Her friend, Bishop Marks, wishes she hadn't, but he is
betting on her to win. The next week, the second challenge is held. Riding with
Bishop and Nat to the twin water towers, the challenge is to cross a wooden
plank propped between them. Heather is scared, but she makes it across. The guy
behind her completes the walk but doesn't climb down. The next guy is crossing when
he loses his balance. The crowd gasps but he is able to catch himself. When
both guys are on the ground, a fight breaks out between the two of them. The
guy who almost fell causes the first of throwing something at him. Soon,
Heather and Nat are pulled apart and Nat falls into the mud. Someone steps on
her ankle and she hears it crack. Heather is trying to help her up when the police
arrives. Unable to find Bishop and their ride, Heather attempts to help Nat
limp into hiding, but the girls are struggling. Suddenly, Dodge Mason gets on
Nat's other side and helps her walk. He leads them into the woods and gets them
into a maintenance shed. Heather immediately realizes that Dodge has a thing
for Nat. It figures that all of the boys like the short, perky girls. While
Dodge is out looking around, Heather tells Nat they should spilt the money if
either of them win. Nat agrees. After a while, the coast is clear. All three
walk to the road to catch the bus.
No
one in Carp will cheer for a Dodge, no matter how far he goes. He wasn't in it
for the popularity; he was in it to win. Dodge likes secrets. He even has two.
First, he knows more about Panic than anyone else at the Opening Jump. Second,
and the source of his power; "he wasn't afraid. He just didn't
care." Dodge has no idea what his father's name is. He was the result
of a brief encounter his mother had with a Dominican roofer in Miami. He, his
mother and Dayna have moved around the country with her various boyfriends. He
is out to win Panic; for Dayna and for revenge.
Dodge
is surprised when Natalie shows up near his apartment the next day. Completely dishelmed,
he quickly dresses and cleans up. He doesn't want to invite her in so that she
will see Dayna. Nat's ankle is only sprained and she came by to thank him. Talking,
Nat suggests that if either her or Dodge win, they could split the money. That
way, they could help one another out. Agreeing, Nat reaches up slightly and
kisses a much taller Dodge on both sides of his neck to seal the deal. Dodge
immediately realizes that he is going to fall hard for Natalie.
What
secrets is Dodge keeping? Who is Dayna and why doesn't he want Natalie to see
her? Why is Dodge in Panic for Dayna? What is the real reason Heather joined
Panic? Why did Natalie make the deal with Dodge after agreeing to do the same
thing with Heather? Who are the Panic judges? Why did Natalie join Panic? Who
has the biggest secret in Panic? And who will win it all?
Broken
down by days and told in alternating viewpoints from Heather and Dodge, readers
will be eagerly reading until the very end.
Visit Lauren Oliver’s website.
