As the Walk continues through the morning, Harkness introduces himself to Garraty and explains that he is writing down every boy’s name and number because he hopes to write a book about the Long Walk from the inside. Garraty, McVries, Olson, Baker, Barkovitch, and Stebbins settle into visible patterns: McVries looks strong and controlled, Baker seems easy and durable, Olson begins to stiffen, Barkovitch keeps flirting with danger, and Stebbins remains isolated and unreadable. Rumors spread that the group is about to break the distance record for a full field and that cold thunderstorms may come later.

As they approach Limestone, the first real crisis centers on Curley, who develops a charley horse and starts falling behind. Garraty watches Curley struggle with a mix of fear, fascination, and guilty hope that someone else will die before he does. Curley briefly seems to recover, but then the pain returns, he drops below the required speed, and the soldiers shoot him in full view of the walkers and spectators. Curley becomes the first death of Garraty’s Walk, reducing the field to ninety-nine and forcing Garraty to confront the reality of what the contest truly means.

After Curley’s death, the boys keep moving because they have no choice. Garraty notices how quickly the crowd turns the killing into part of the spectacle, cheering even more loudly after the first ticket is given. McVries, Olson, Baker, and Garraty bunch together in tense silence, while Stebbins steps over Curley’s body without reacting. Garraty tries to keep going through shock, thinking about food, home, and survival, while the Walk enters Limestone and the Major briefly appears to praise the boys.

Through town and into the afternoon countryside, Garraty feels mounting fatigue, heat, and homesickness. McVries admits that even if he won, he does not know what prize he truly wants, which underscores the contest’s emptiness. Garraty calls for a fresh canteen, furtively touches a soldier’s carbine as if for luck, and begins to sense exhaustion and fear in the other boys. Rumors then spread that Ewing, a walker from Texas, is in serious trouble because blisters from wearing sneakers have become unbearable.

Baker confirms that Ewing’s feet are badly torn, and Barkovitch responds with open cruelty and racism, provoking Baker to warn him away. Ewing keeps walking for a while, but the damage is too severe; he finally drops below speed and is dragged to the shoulder, where a soldier shoots him. McVries breaks the silence afterward by saying that Ewing bleeds the same as anyone else, stripping away Barkovitch’s contempt and emphasizing the shared vulnerability of every boy. With two deaths behind them, Garraty realizes he is no longer merely observing the Walk’s horror; he is inside it, and he is tired.