Summary

In Chapter 27 the town contends with the disturbing news that the skeleton of a child has been discovered buried in the woods. Characters have different emotional responses; Mary Katherine is disturbed and grief-stricken, and feels guilty for having teenage preoccupations like getting into college and reluctance about working at the senior care facility.

Mrs. Collins feels a self-righteous anger at the type of parent who could have allowed such a thing to happen to their child. Mr. Collins is outraged that the sheriff has declared the woods an active crime scene, bringing his construction project to a halt. The chapter ends in Mrs. Keizer’s perspective as she remembers something important: “We’ll die on Christmas Day” (149).

In Chapter 28, Christopher, Eddie, Matt and Mike are reunited with their parents. Eddie, Matt and Mike’s parents are too relieved their sons are safe to...