Middle of the Night

In this chapter, set in the present and narrated from Ethan’s first-person perspective, Ethan is alone in the forest, grappling with eerie memories and escalating fear. He recalls the last time he was here, the day Billy disappeared, and notes the change from that day’s brighter, more open atmosphere.

As Ethan moves, he hears a sound that mimics his footsteps but is slightly off in timing and volume. Initially thinking it’s an echo, he soon realizes it’s not perfectly synchronized with his movements. This sound suggests someone is following him, but he sees no one. Ethan’s mind races with fears: a potential attacker, a maniac, or even Billy himself.

Terrified, Ethan begins to run through the forest, dodging obstacles as he crashes through the underbrush. Despite his frantic pace, he doesn’t see anyone or anything behind him. He emerges from the woods onto a road, realizing he is still a mile from the falls and not in the immediate danger he feared. The road’s presence reminds him of civilization and prompts reflections on Billy’s last moments and the investigation’s inaccuracies.

Ethan reflects on the police dogs that had tracked Billy’s scent to this road but lost the trail.