Points of View

The story is told from the third person perspectives of Rayford Steele and Buck Williams. Both have very different backgrounds and differing views of the world. Rayford is older and has more life experience. His view on the disappearances almost automatically takes a turn toward a religious event. Rayford is someone who feels extraordinary remorse and guilt over what has happened. Therefore, his thoughts are turned more toward regret and desperation.

Buck Williams, on the other hand, comes from a very different background and point of life. He is thirty, single, and an award-winning writer for a major news magazine. The disappearances do not affect him directly as he has not lost anyone from his immediate circle. His perspective is more objective. As a career journalist, it is not in Buck's nature to get too emotional. Buck's involvement with his faith is even more remote than...