Triptych

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence, death, rape, substance use, and mental illness.

The narrative shifts to the past. After his trial, John is stunned to realize that he has been sentenced to 22 years to life in prison. His mother tries to convince him that this outcome is a good thing because he has avoided the death penalty. He is shocked that so many people from his school have testified against him, including people he has not spoken to for years. Mary Alice’s parents feel vindicated by the outcome of the trial. John is then transported to Coastal, and during the bus ride to the prison, he realizes that he is much younger and smaller than everyone else.

John is sent to his cell and meets his older cell mate, Zebra. Every night, Zebra rapes John. Then, Zebra starts trading John to other prisoners. John is raped so brutally that he is hospitalized. While in the hospital, John receives the first of his father’s only two visits. Richard tells John that it is good that he is in pain; this way, John will know how Mary Alice felt.