Chapter 2: Silas's Perspective

This chapter introduces Silas and shifts between present events and past memories.

In the present, Silas discovers M&M's dead body while driving, led to the location by a large flock of birds. He immediately calls the chief to report his finding.

Example: The use of natural elements, like the flock of birds, to guide plot developments adds an element of mysticism to the story.

The chapter then flashes back to Larry and Silas's first meeting in 1979. Larry's father gives a ride to Silas and his mother, Alice, who are poorly dressed for the cold weather. This encounter highlights the racial tensions of the time.

Highlight: Larry's father speaks about black people in a disparaging way, contrasting with Larry's curiosity about befriending Silas.

The flashback ends with Larry lending Silas his rifle so Silas can hunt squirrels for his mother to cook, marking the beginning of their friendship.

Chapter 1: Larry's Perspective

The first chapter introduces Larry as he is shot by an unknown assailant wearing Larry's own zombie mask.

Highlight: Larry is closely watched by the police due to a missing girl and is suspected of killing Cindy Walker.

The attacker shoots Larry in the chest, assuming he was the murderer of the missing girl. Surprisingly, Larry feels sympathy for his attacker and recognizes something familiar about the man's eyes.

Quote: "Attacker tells him to die -> knows that he would be glad to do so"

The chapter also mentions a character named M&M (Morton Morisette), a drug dealer whose house was searched, revealing only blood trails. Another character, Charles Deacon, is suspected of murdering M&M.

Vocabulary: M&M - Morton Morisette, a drug dealer mentioned in the story.