Summary

In Chapter 12, the next morning, Billy watches the news. A retired police detective tells the anchorwoman that Allen was probably killed because he knew a secret that would harm someone. Billy wonders what that information might have been and who had wanted Allen silenced.

Billy tries to write, but is afraid what he might write will not be as good as his beginning sections so he watches television instead. Later that day, he realizes he is free to write whatever he wants. He no longer has to write as if Nick or one of his underlings is reading. Billy opens his computer and begins by changing all of the references to Benjy to his real name.

The next section returns to the copy of Billy’s story as he describes how he was transferred from Parris Island to Camp Pendleton for sniper training...