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Summary

PART VI: Survival (continued)

Tracy: July 1975—Judyta, August 1975: Day Two

Tracy: July 1975 

The next morning, Tracy panics when she wakes to find Barbara gone. Lowell reassures her that she was just out gathering wood, and moments later, Barbara returns. 

That day, the group attempts to catch food using squirrel traps, and Barbara and Lowell are successful, carrying back three red squirrels impaled on poles. However, one is still alive. Barbara orders Tracy to kill it, and Tracy obeys, killing the squirrel with a rock. From a distance, T.J. compliments her on a job well done. 

Barbara begins butchering the squirrels but suddenly stops as her knife accidentally stabs her inner thigh. Blood pools quickly, and she pulls the knife out, immediately regretting it as she beings to lose more blood. Though she insists she is fine, her condition worsens. Lowell ultimately tells T.J., who quickly assesses the situation and carries Barbara back to her tent for treatment.  

Barbara returns later, stitched and cleaned, acting as if nothing happened. As Tracy expresses concern, Barbara acts tough, insisting she didn’t need T.J. and would’ve been fine. At night, Barbara admits to Tracy she probably can’t sneak out due to her injury. When Tracy asks if that’s okay, Barbara tells her it’s probably not, implying that she might be in some kind of trouble.  

Alice, August 1975: Day Two 

Alice wakes up disoriented, still under the influence of something. She reaches for the gin on her nightstand as she remembers her daughter has been missing for over 24 hours. Outside at the camp,  parents arrive to take their children home a week early due to Barbara’s disappearance  

Alice nostalgically remembers how Bear always clung to her, needing her protection, and how she took comfort in that. Now, she knows Peter will take her to Albany, removing her from the situation once again. It’s easier for her family to send her away than to let her stay. However, she doesn’t mind being In Albany because it makes her feel closer to Bear.  

Alice: 1961 

The Blackfly Good-By begins, and Bear is excited for the celebration. At eight years old, he has already become a strong presence at the Preserve. Peter III, who is pleased with his son’s growing independence, has invited more guests than ever before, including Alice’s sister, Delphine. 

With the festivities in full swing, Alice and Peter reconnect, their marriage and romance is at its peak, and even Bear notices the shift in dynamic. Not wanting the party to end, Peter invites everyone to stay one more night. But when Delphine questions the staff about food shortages, Peter becomes furious. That night, he sleeps in his own room again. Alice is unwilling to let go of their brief happiness from the week, and she chooses to drink heavily that night.  

The next day, one of the guests suggests spending time on Lake Joan. Alice agrees, thinking Bear would enjoy it, but she cannot find him. She searches the house, growing more anxious, and finally decides to open the door to Peter’s room in her search for Bear. 

Judyta, August 1975: Day Two 

Inside the slaughterhouse, Judy hears footsteps above her. Panicked, she runs outside and reports it to Hayes and LaRochelle. Within minutes, six state troopers storm the building. 

As she waits, Judy begins worry that she called a false alarm, and the noise may have been an animal or a tree branch. When the officers return, they confirm her fear—it was only a family of squirrels. LaRochelle, visibly irritated, heads back to speak with Peter II.  

Judyta, August 1975: Day Two 

At the command post, Hayes asks for updates. Officers discuss the myth of "Scary Mary," an old woman rumored to haunt the campgrounds. No one believes it, but the kids keep talking about her. 

Judy is still embarrassed by the slaughterhouse incident, but she tries to contribute whatever information she does have. She shares with the group what Mrs. Clute told her about Carl Stoddard being framed for Bear Van Laar’s disappearance. Additionally, she shares that the Van Laars supposedly neglect Barbara. 

Investigator Goldman agrees that Stoddard was likely innocent. He shares that Stoddard died of a heart attack before he could be cleared, yet the public was told he was guilty. Unfortunately, Judy realizes this information isn’t useful without Mrs. Clute’s signed statement. Before she can dwell on it, LaRochelle enters the room.  

 

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