The Maidens

The first-person narrator describes the death of his beloved dog Rex, whom his mother loved deeply. Shortly before the narrator turned 12, his parents had a violent fight over the dog that ended with his father shooting Rex. The narrator laments that he could not cry for the dog despite having loved him. Rather than learning love and kindness from Rex, the narrator learned to hate. When he and his mother threw the dog into the pit, the narrator felt the best part of him followed, to rot with the abandoned animal carcasses. After this episode, he retreated into violent fantasies.

After leaving Edward’s rooms, Mariana needs someone to talk to and phones Fred. They meet at a Greek diner and discuss the case. Fred suggests that Edward may have an accomplice, but Mariana is not convinced. They plan to meet the following morning to discuss further. In the meantime, Fred urges Mariana to be careful. While returning to campus, Mariana receives a phone call. “I’m watching you,” the caller whispers (239). Mariana is sure it is Henry and feels uneasy on the deserted street.