Brief Summary
Ray Gared enters the Long Walk, a brutal endurance competition in a dystopian America, where participants must walk continuously or face execution. The last walker alive wins a fortune and a wish. Ray, haunted by his father's execution by the Commander, seeks revenge. Alliances form and break as walkers succumb to exhaustion, madness, and the Commander's ruthless rules. Ultimately, Pete wins the walk and uses his wish to avenge Ray by killing the Commander.
- The Long Walk is a brutal competition born from a financial crisis, designed to restore discipline and productivity.
- Walkers must maintain a speed of 5 km/h or face execution after three warnings.
- Alliances and rivalries form among the walkers as they struggle to survive.
- Ray seeks to avenge his father's death, while Pete aims to help children who have lost everything.
- The true nature of some walkers are revealed, including Stebins' connection to the Commander.
- Pete wins the walk and uses his wish to kill the Commander, avenging Ray's death.
The Start of the Long Walk
In a dystopian America, Ray Gared is selected for the Long Walk, a brutal annual competition where walkers must maintain a speed above 5 km/h or face execution. Ray's mother, fearful due to her husband's death in a previous walk, unsuccessfully tries to dissuade him. At the starting line, Ray meets Pete and other contestants, including the quiet Stebins, friendly Baker, nervous Curly, tough-talking Hank, and odd Barkovich. The Commander explains the Long Walk is a response to the nation's financial crisis, promising that their sacrifice will restore the country. The rules are simple: walk without stopping, maintain the pace, and the last one standing gets a fortune and a wish.
Early Casualties and Forming Bonds
The Long Walk begins, and the walkers are immediately confronted with the grim reality of their broken nation. Stebins receives an early warning for slowing down, while Barkovich narrowly avoids execution. Ray, Baker, and Pete discuss their motivations for participating, with Ray expressing his lack of belief in the walk or the prize. Harkness, a writer, plans to document the walk for a book. Curly cramps up and is executed, shocking the other walkers and forcing them to confront the brutal consequences of failure. Ray and Pete begin to form a bond, offering each other support as they continue the march.
Challenges and Confrontations
As the walk progresses, Pete advises Ray to focus on the next step to survive. They discuss their pasts, with Pete revealing he was a singer. The group faces further challenges, including the collapse and execution of another walker. Barkovich mocks the deaths, drawing contempt from the others. Hank experiences fatigue, and Ray shares his food, strengthening their camaraderie. Barkovich provokes Rank, leading to his execution, causing outrage among the group. The walkers encounter a crow impaled on a post, a disturbing sight that unsettles them.
Dreams and Nightmares
The Commander congratulates the walkers for reaching kilometre 56. Ray drifts into memories of his mother and home, and Pete keeps him from dozing off. Ray reveals he broke up with his girlfriend before the race. He receives a second warning for slowing down and then a third, causing him to express his belief that everyone secretly wants the others to fail. The group faces a steep incline, leading to more contestants collapsing and being executed. Pete helps Ray, and Ray apologises for his earlier outburst.
Day Two and Dark Confessions
On day two, with 94 km completed, only 18 walkers remain. Pete encourages Ray to keep talking as he feels his steps fading. They discuss their reasons for wanting to win. Harkness is executed after twisting his ankle. Barkovich clashes with Pete and vows to destroy him. The Commander reappears, urging them to continue. The walkers discuss their wishes if they win, with Pete expressing a desire for two winners instead of one. Ray states he would wish for change, sparking anger against the Commander among the walkers.
Revenge and Madness
Heavy rain falls as Ray leans on Pete for support. On day three, with 231 km completed, Ray reveals to Pete that his father was executed by the Commander for spreading forbidden knowledge, and he seeks revenge. Pete warns against a wish built on revenge. Madness takes hold of several walkers, leading to their deaths. Stebins points out Hank's deteriorating condition, and Hank is shot in the leg for turning on a soldier.
The Final Days and Bitter Truths
On the fourth day, with 336 km completed, only six walkers remain. The group promises to share part of the prize with Hank's widow. Stebins admits he is sick. Barkovich, consumed by guilt, begs to join the group but then commits suicide. With 418 km completed, only five walkers remain. Parker sings to distract himself, and the others join in. As they enter a city, Ray's shoes fall apart, and he sees his mother in the crowd. Pete saves him from execution. Pete reveals his parents died in the war and shares the origin of his scar, vowing to choose light over darkness and help kids like him.
The End of the Walk
On the fifth day, with 492 km completed, Stebins falls gravely ill. Parker snaps and is killed. Baker's condition worsens, and he is executed after Ray and Pete try to help him. With the finish line in sight, the Commander appears, declaring that only one will win. Ray insults him, and Pete questions what would happen if they all stopped. Stebins reveals that the Commander is his father and stops walking, accepting death. Only Ray and Pete remain. Pete sits down, ready to give up, and the Commander executes Ray, declaring Pete the winner. Pete uses his wish to obtain a rifle and kills the Commander, avenging Ray's death.
