Characters in Children of the Corn

He thumbed back through the book feverishly and found the Eve Tobin entry. Below it: “Adam Greenlaw, b. July 11, 1965.” They'd be just eleven now, he thought, and his flesh began to crawl. And maybe they're out there. Someplace.

Burt felt a chill creep into his flesh. Vicky, let me tell you a story. It's about Amos Deigan, who was born Richard Deigan on September 4, 1945. He took the name Amos in 1964, fine Old Testament name, Amos, one of the minor prophets.

So we could look at three hundred miles of corn. And enjoy the wit and wisdom of Burt Robeson.” He was gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles were white.

Isaac was only nine, but he had been the Seer since the corn had taken David a year ago. David had been nineteen and he had walked into the corn on his birthday, just as dusk had come drifting down the summer rows.

… laugh—is that Dick Deigan and his friends—Billy Renfrew, George Kirk, Roberta Wells, and Eddie Hollis among others—they got religion and they killed off their parents. All of them. Isn't that a scream? Shot them in their beds, knifed them in …

September 6, and the next entry was Eve Tobin, b. June 16, 1965. No second name in parentheses. The third book was blank. Standing behind the pulpit, Burt thought about it.

Well, Vicky, what happened—don't laugh—is that Dick Deigan and his friends—Billy Renfrew, George Kirk, Roberta Wells, and Eddie Hollis among others—they got religion and they killed off their parents. All of them. Isn't that a scream?

… He Who Walks Behind the Rows. It began to come into the clearing. Burt saw something huge, bulking up to the sky . . . something green with terrible red eyes the size of footballs.

“Let's see. There was Baby Hortense, the Singing Marvel. She was eight.

“So now is the Age of Favor lowered from nineteen plantings and harvestings to eighteen,” Isaac went on relentlessly. “Yet be fruitful and multiply as the corn multiplies, that my favor may be shewn you, and be upon you.” Isaac ceased.

The first column read: Amos Deigan (Richard), b. Sept. 4, 1945 Sept. 4, 1964 Isaac Renfrew (William), b. Sept. 19, 1945 Sept. 19, 1964 Zepeniah Kirk (George), b. Oct. 14, 1945 Oct. 14, 1964 Mary Wells (Roberta), b. Nov.

They waited to hear what Malachi would say, Malachi who had led the hunt for Japheth, who evermore would be known as Ahaz, cursed of God.

Burt licked his lips, which felt dry. One other thing, Vicky. Look at this. We have Job Gilman (Clayton) born on September 6, 1964. No other births until June 16, 1965. A gap of ten months. Know what I think?

Isaac ceased. The eyes turned to Malachi and Joseph, the only two among this party who were eighteen. There were others back in town, perhaps twenty in all.

June 21, 1957 June 21, 1976 Moses Richardson (Henry), b. July 29, 1957 Malachi Boardman (Craig), b. August 15, 1957 The last entry in the book was for Ruth Clawson (Sandra), b. April 30, 1961.

The first column read: Amos Deigan (Richard), b. Sept. 4, 1945 Sept. 4, 1964 Isaac Renfrew (William), b. Sept. 19, 1945 Sept. 19, 1964 Zepeniah Kirk (George), b. Oct. 14, 1945 Oct. 14, 1964 Mary Wells (Roberta), b. Nov. 12, 1945 Nov.

Jan. 5, 1946 Jan. 5, 1965 Frowning, Burt continued to turn through the pages. Three-quarters of the way through, the double columns ended abruptly: Rachel Stigman (Donna), b. June 21, 1957 June 21, 1976 Moses Richardson (Henry), b. July 29, 1957 Malachi Boardman (Craig), b.

Then there was Norman Staunton. He used to preach hellfire and brimstone in this Little Lord Fauntleroy suit with short pants. He was only seven.”

Sacrificed him in the corn. Isn't that a silly story? But let's look at Rachel Stigman, who was Donna Stigman until 1964. She turned nineteen on June 21, just about a month ago.

July 29, 1957 Malachi Boardman (Craig), b. August 15, 1957 The last entry in the book was for Ruth Clawson (Sandra), b. April 30, 1961. Burt looked at the shelf where he had found this book and came up with two more.

He was desperate for it not to happen. Vicky said something. “What?” he shouted. “Turn it down! Do you want to break my eardrums?”