This Is Where It Ends

As the clock moves from 10:12-10:15 a.m., Sylv reflects on her relationship with Autumn and its connection to the tension surrounding the Browne family history. Sylv recalls how after Tyler’s mother died, Tyler's father “drowned his sorrows in alcohol and Tyler doused his in hatred” (75). Sylv also recalls a yearly spring bonfire led by Coach Jameson at Opportunity High.

Tomas and Fareed discover the janitor dead in the janitor’s closet, and they take bolt cutters and “pray the police get here fast” (82). As Claire and Chris continue running to the local gas station, Claire expresses guilt for not seeing who Tyler really was and for not being able to somehow stop Tyler from committing the shooting. She tells Chris that Tyler once told her: “I’ll show the world. And they’ll never forget me” (83).

Meanwhile, Autumn watches Tyler swagger around the stage, commanding students to listen. Autumn realizes Tyler’s targeting people he thinks hurt him. Tyler shoots one student who does not follow instructions and then shoots Coach Jameson. Autumn also recalls Tyler physically hurting her the previous evening.