This passage continues to unravel the certainty that the group has a strong sense of community and solidarity. Oddly, Nimdok, Gorrister, Benny, and Ellen laugh at Ted for his terrified—yet reasonable—reaction to AM’s torture. Their laughter is derisive, creating an “us versus them” dynamic that firmly positions Ted as the outsider. However, given that Ted is the narrator of the story, readers are unable to step out of the confines of his perspective, which seems to be growing increasingly paranoid and spiteful toward his companions. It’s unclear, then, if the other members of the group
do genuinely hate Ted, or if this forced community is lending to Ted’s paranoia and self-imposed isolation.