Firestarter

This chapter brings John Rainbird into focus and traces his thoughts through the execution of his job. As he awaits the time to kill Wanless, Rainbird calms his mind, thinking on his large collection of shoes, which fill a house he is rarely in. Two other subjects interest Rainbird. The first is death, and what happens immediately following death. Having watched many people die, Rainbird ponders the eyes of the dying, curious as to what they experience.

His second point of interest is Charlie McGee. He is aware that she has a power but is ignorant of the rest. When he kills Dr. Wanless, Rainbird toys with the man, promising to let him live if Wanless reveals all he knows, suspects, and theorizes about Charlie. However, after Wanless complies, Rainbird kills him, and is disappointed at what he sees in the man’s eyes. Rainbird imagines that because Charlie is different, the look in her eyes as she dies will reveal to him a fundamental truth. He starts to feel protective of her as he plots to find and kill her.