TIME: 2:30PM
DATE: Saturday, 12th October 1996
OPEN TO: Anyone!
Mandy could count on one hand how many times she had gone near the forest in the past decade, and driving past counted. In the brisk October chill the woodland seemed to loom, as if the trees were some distant Middle Earth variety. A gust of wind made her frown and pull the hand-knitted muffler over her lower mouth. Did Brian like Tolkien? Maybe it was too outdated for kids these days; she wouldnât know. Her only contact with kids was Pete, and heâd throw her a withering look if she even tried saying something along those lines. He was eighteen now. It was hard to believe. The very thought made her chest ache, first for Pete, then for Brian. Eight years old. Dear God.
Residual anger flushed through her, and she had to close her eyes tightly for a moment to calm herself. After exhaling slowly, she tucked some hair behind one ear and surveyed the gathering crowd. Most of Devilâs Knot had turned out for the event, looking alternately hopeful or pinched with cold, clutching torches or thermoses, talking avidly to one another. Sheriff Malvo was supposed to set them all off, as if they were a Sunday walking club, but Mandy was inclined to simply start alone. Small talk felt insurmountable, suddenly, and it crested upon a swell of helplessness that made her want to cry.Â
Pull it together. The voice sounded awfully like Sandy, and for a moment Mandy caught a glimpse of a blonde head as the crowd parted. It wouldnât surprise her if Sandy turned up; if there was one thing that made Sandy reliable, it was her unerring obsession with other peopleâs business.
Thinking about Sandy always made her feel composed in comparison. Adjusting her muffler one last time, Mandy put her hands in the pockets of her over-sized parka and started weaving through the crowd. People parted for her, but not without some glances of pity. Keeping her eyes straight ahead, Mandy walked up to a person standing on the fringe of a group. Small talk might suck, but it was necessary. Today wasnât about her, after all.
âHey.â Mandyâs voice was whipped away by the wind; she extricated one gloved hand and gently waved it to get their attention. âHi. Um. Are you walking with anyone?â