Study Guide

Among the Hidden Chapter 28

By Margaret Peterson Haddix

Chapter 28

Luke starts screaming his head off in fear, which is probably the same thing we'd do in that situation.
Mr. Talbot tries to get him to calm down but it's useless and somehow in all the commotion, the gun ends up in Luke's hands.
Suddenly Jen's dad moves very slowly and is swearing on his daughter's name that he's on Luke's side.
This gets Luke to settle down enough for the two of them to talk.
Mr. Talbot breaks it down for Luke and says he works for the Population Police but doesn't agree with them. In fact, he tries to sabotage them at every chance.
Then it's time for a real history lesson about the famine and Population Law.
Jen's dad tells Luke how the famine freaked people out so much that all they cared about was food.
Rightfully so. But then this dude General Sherwood came along and only gave the people food. This started the all-controlling and oppressive Government that Luke is familiar with.
And even though the Government ignores Barons possessing illegal food like soda and potato chips, the Population Law is still strictly enforced with everyone. Including the Talbots.
But Mr. Talbot doesn't agree with the Population Law and says he can snag Luke a fake I.D. tomorrow. And just as he's about to tell Luke to hide, a thumping at the door announces the arrival of the legit Population Police.