Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre

On October 9, the Greenloop residents collectively agree that a bear is threatening them. Kate is surprised that Mostar is the one who proposes this theory, since she acknowledged Kate’s assertion that it was something else. Reinhardt supports the theory, arguing that the weather may have distorted and enlarged a bear’s footprints. The group suggests taking their edible waste into the woods to draw the bear away from the houses. Mostar hesitantly dissents, worrying that this will encourage the bears to become more aggressive. When the Boothes and Carmen argue against her, she relents. Kate senses that Mostar is repressing her true beliefs.

The Durants remain absent, and when Kate gets no response after trying their doorbell, she resigns herself to their self-exile. Kate and Dan check on Mostar, who admits that she proposed the bear theory only to maintain the group’s trust in her. She knew that it would be harder to propose the truth because it would be unfamiliar and invite collective denial. She acknowledges Kate and Dan’s observations, adding that there may be multiple creatures in the woods. As Mostar speculates on their behavior, it occurs to Kate that Mostar can’t discern what they want.