Content Warning: This section briefly mentions racism, sexual assault, addiction, abuse, suicide, and violence.

Simon Dobias is standing inside the foyer of Lauren Betancourt’s home in Grace Village, a wealthy suburb of Chicago. Lauren is dead, hanging from the balcony railing while dressed in her Halloween costume. Simon leaves the scene, wearing his own Halloween costume as a disguise. He tries to calm himself on his walk by playing a word game in his head, a technique he has used since childhood. He has almost reached his own town, the neighboring Grace Park, when he is overwhelmed by emotion and exhaustion and unable to continue. He hides behind a shed in the park and types a text message to Lauren on his burner phone, telling her he is sorry and that he loves her. He promises he is “coming to you now” (3) and then sits for a while, contemplating his phone and a large kitchen knife he has brought with him.

This chapter begins on May 13, months before Halloween. Simon chats in his office at the law school with his friend and colleague, Anshuman Bindra. Anshu gently chastises Simon for not playing the part of a law professor by dressing and speaking more formally.