You've finally made it. The Quarry Chapter 9 is where everything—and I mean everything—hits the fan. If you've been playing carefully up to this point, Chapter 9 is the ultimate stress test for your decision-making. Honestly, it's the messiest, bloodiest, and most consequential hour in the entire game. By now, the Hackett family isn't just a background threat; they are right in your face, and the curse of Silas is looming over every single QTE.
The stakes are high. One wrong button press or a moment of hesitation doesn't just result in a "try again" screen. It results in permanent death for characters you’ve spent eight chapters trying to keep alive. We’re talking about the fate of Ryan, Laura, Dylan, and basically the entire Hackett lineage.
The Basement Chaos and the Ryan Dilemma
Things kick off with Ryan and Laura in the Hackett house. It’s claustrophobic. It’s dark. And it’s full of people who want you dead. When you’re navigating the hallways, you’ll encounter Constance Hackett. This is the first major "life or death" moment of the chapter. If you want to keep things interesting, you have to win the struggle for the gun. If you succeed, Constance's head is... well, it’s gone. It’s a brutal introduction to the tone of this chapter.
But the real heart of Chapter 9 is Ryan’s injury. He’s been stabbed. He’s bleeding out. You’re faced with a choice that feels counterintuitive: let Laura bite you.
Most players recoil at this. Why would you want to become a werewolf? But here’s the thing—if you don't let Laura bite Ryan, he simply won't have the stamina or the regenerative powers to survive the upcoming encounter with Chris Hackett. He will die of blood loss. It’s a classic Supermassive Games trap. You have to sacrifice Ryan's humanity to save his life. It’s gross, it’s painful to watch, but it’s the only way to ensure he’s standing when the credits roll.
Dealing with Jedidiah and the Attic
While Ryan is dealing with his internal (and external) bleeding, Laura is on a warpath. When Jedidiah corners her, you have a choice to hide or fight. If you’ve been trying to play a "no-kill" run for the Hacketts, this is where it gets nearly impossible. Laura is infected, her aggression is up, and Jedidiah is relentless.
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If you fail the QTEs here, Laura dies. If you succeed, Jedidiah usually meets a grim end. The game does a fantastic job of making you feel the weight of these kills. These aren't just monsters; they are a family trying to contain a curse, albeit in a very murderous way.
The Scrapyard: Dylan’s Time to Shine
Switching over to Dylan and Kaitlyn at the scrapyard provides a brief, yet terrifying, reprieve from the Hackett house. This sequence is a masterclass in tension. Dylan is operating the crane, and Kaitlyn is in the car.
If Dylan still has both his hands, things are a bit easier. If you had to amputate his hand back in the radio hut? Well, things get clumsy.
When the werewolf attacks the car, you have to be precise with the crane.
- Warn Kaitlyn: You have to alert her before the wolf gets too close.
- Slam the car: This is the most effective way to shake the beast.
- The Torch: Use it. Don't hesitate.
If you mess up here, Dylan gets ripped out of the crane cabin or Kaitlyn gets crushed. The scrapyard is often where "perfect" runs go to die because the QTE timing feels slightly tighter than in previous chapters. It’s fast. It’s loud. And the lighting makes it hard to see exactly where the threat is coming from until it's on top of you.
The Showdown: Chris Hackett and the Curse
Everything converges in the attic. This is the climax of The Quarry Chapter 9. You’ve got a room full of werewolves, Ryan is fading fast, and Laura is losing control.
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When the floor collapses and everyone falls into the room below, the game gives you a split second to make the most important shot in the game. You are playing as Ryan. You have a shotgun. You are staring at a monstrous, transformed Chris Hackett.
You must shoot Chris.
There is no "peaceful" resolution here. If you don't shoot Chris:
- Chris kills Ryan instantly.
- Laura (in werewolf form) kills Travis Hackett.
- The curse on Max is never broken.
By shooting Chris, you kill the person who bit Max, effectively curing Max (which you’ll see in Chapter 10). It also stops Laura from killing Travis, assuming you didn't treat Travis like garbage in Chapter 7. If you and Travis have a tentative alliance, he will actually help you reach the final boss of the game, Silas.
The Travis Hackett Factor
The relationship between Laura and Travis is the most complex dynamic in the game. If you shot Travis in the cell back in Chapter 7, he will stab Laura to death the moment she turns back into a human after Chris dies. It doesn't matter if you saved him earlier; he holds a grudge.
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If you were "nice" (or as nice as you can be to a kidnapper), Travis will stand down. This opens up the "Above It All" path. This is the only way to get the true ending where you hunt down the White Wolf. Without this alliance, the game ends prematurely for several characters.
Technical Tips for Surviving the QTEs
A lot of people struggle with the "Hold Breath" mechanic in this chapter, especially when Ryan is hiding in the walls of the Hackett house.
Honestly, the trick isn't just holding the button. It's watching the red borders of the screen. Don't let go until the red is completely gone and the character has moved. In Chapter 9, the hunters stay near your hiding spot longer than they did in earlier chapters. They are suspicious. They know you’re there.
Also, check your settings. If you’re playing for the story and find the combat prompts annoying, you can set the QTEs to "Auto-Succeed" or "Long." But for the purists, remember that Chapter 9 expects you to have mastered the "flick" mechanics of the analog stick.
Breaking the Cycle
What most people get wrong about Chapter 9 is thinking they can save everyone without making sacrifices. You can't. To save the counselors, you almost certainly have to wipe out the Hackett family. It’s a zero-sum game.
The game forces you to choose between the lives of the kids you've been protecting and the family that—while misguided—was actually trying to stop the curse. By the time you reach the end of the chapter, the floor is literally covered in blood, and the cast of characters will likely be cut in half.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
If you are currently paused and panicking about what to do next, follow these priorities:
- Accept the Bite: As Ryan, let Laura bite you. It's the only way to survive the blood loss after being stabbed.
- Pull the Knife or Leave it?: If you pull the knife out as Ryan, you can use it to stab Bobby Hackett later, which helps you survive. If you leave it in, you don't risk the immediate extra damage. Most experts suggest pulling it to have the weapon.
- Kill Chris Hackett: Do not hesitate. This is the lynchpin for the "best" ending. It cures Max and stabilizes the situation in the house.
- Be Kind to Travis: If you haven't reached the end of Chapter 7 yet, remember this for later. Your attitude toward him determines if Laura survives Chapter 9.
- Scrapyard Vigilance: When playing as Dylan, prioritize Kaitlyn’s safety. Use the "Slam Car" option when the wolf is on top of it.
The Quarry Chapter 9 is the point of no return. Once you finish this sequence, the pieces are set for the finale. Whether you're heading toward a total massacre or a heroic survival depends entirely on those few seconds in the attic. Good luck—you're going to need it.