Contents
Chapter 31
Overview
On a warm night in Mabel’s childhood, neighbors panic when Billy Harris doesn’t come home. Mrs. Harris confronts Mabel, who admits Billy followed her from the beach taunting her before she ran. Mabel names Mr. Loukas as a witness. Police arrive and tell Billy’s parents he’s been found, escalating dread and suspicion around Mabel.
Summary
At night in a quiet cul-de-sac, young Mabel hears raised voices outside as Mr. and Mrs. Harris argue about their missing son, Billy. Mrs. Harris insists on searching and decides to question Mabel after learning Billy was last seen with her at the beach bonfire.
Cess wakes Mabel and brings her downstairs. Mrs. Harris anxiously demands answers. Mabel explains she saw Billy at the bonfire earlier but adds that he followed her off the beach, taunting her about her baby sister, which upset her.
Pressed for details, Mabel says she ran at the top of the stairs and, when she stopped, Billy was no longer there. Cess defends Mabel as Mrs. Harris grows accusatory, asking if Mabel did something to Billy. Mabel denies any harm and points to Mr. Loukas as someone who saw her right after she left the group.
Blue-and-white lights then flood the cul-de-sac as a patrol car arrives. The officer speaks quietly with Mr. Harris, who, shaken, tells his wife, “They’ve found him.” The chapter ends on the ominous revelation, leaving Billy’s condition unstated and suspicion hanging over Mabel.
Who Appears
- Mabel (Elsie)Teenage narrator; admits Billy followed and taunted her; says she ran; names Mr. Loukas as witness.
- Mrs. Lorraine HarrisAnxious mother of Billy; confronts Mabel, suspecting she knows what happened.
- CessGuardian/household adult; wakes Mabel, moderates confrontation, defends Mabel against accusations.
- Mr. Damian HarrisBilly’s father; speaks with police and delivers the news that Billy has been found.
- Billy HarrisMissing boy last seen following Mabel from the beach; later reported found by police.
- Mr. LoukasAdult at the beach; potential corroborating witness that Mabel left without Billy.
- Police officerArrives to brief Mr. Harris; presence raises stakes and confirms Billy has been found.