Content Warning: This section of the guide describes and analyzes the source text’s depiction of racism and racist violence, death by suicide, war crimes, miscarriages, and infertility.

In Jocassee Valley, Sheriff Will Alexander and his deputy, Bobby, arrive at a local bar, responding to a call to break up a bar fight. They learn that Holland Winchester started the bar fight, which does not surprise Will. Holland agrees to pay the bartender for the damages. After he does so, he pulls out a bag with his Gold Star medal for bravery. Holland shows Will the contents of the bag, which Will recognizes because he fought in World War II. The bag contains shriveled ears that Holland cut off his victims during the Korean War. Holland tells Will that they remind him of what he did in Korea, even though Will does not understand why he needs help remembering.

Two weeks later, Mrs. Winchester, Holland’s mother, reports Holland missing. As Bobby and Will drive to Mrs. Winchester’s farm in Jocassee, Will thinks about the history of the valley. Jocassee Valley was named after the Cherokee princess Jocassee, who drowned herself and whose body was never found.