Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of physical abuse and death.

Marty tells David about the light he saw the night before. David asserts that it must have been Judd out looking for his other boot or perhaps even looking for the murder weapon. Inside, Marty wonders if perhaps it does point to Judd’s guilt. David and Marty plan a sleepover at Marty’s house that weekend so that they can take turns keeping watch for the mysterious light.

Rumors begin to circulate around town that someone has been breaking into people’s homes and stealing things. Fred Niles shares that someone broke into his house the night before, stealing two jackets and a shotgun. Accusations against Judd immediately begin flying, especially because Judd recently got his cast off. Marty silently wonders if his peers may be right.

Marty gets off the bus at David’s for their sleepover, and over dinner, Mr. Howard asks Marty if he has seen much of Judd lately. He wonders aloud how Judd is taking the rumors of the murder that have been circulating, and Marty states, referring to Judd, “Don’t take to it at all, same as you or me” (73), silencing Mr. Howard. David states that he believes Judd is the one who stole from Fred’s house, and Marty asks him why every accusation goes back to Judd.