Chapters 31-32 Summary

In chapter 31, Bud sneaks onto the Tull farm and scopes out the house. Bud sees everyone in the living room so he ties the kitchen door shut, making the front door the only escape. Bud then fires into the living room from the front yard. The bullet does not travel straight because the screen door turns out to be a weather door. Ruta Beth is hit in the throat, but Lamar, Bud's original target, is unharmed. Lamar sends Ruta Beth out onto the front porch, hoping Bud will show his location in response to her appearance. Bud does exactly as Lamar predicts, allowing him to fire his weapon at Bud. While Bud is diving away from fire, Lamar escapes out a side window with Holly. Bud is forced to kill Ruta Beth when she fires her gun at him. Bud then...