Summary Of The Book 'He Who Walks Behind The Rows'

Burt and Vicky embark on a cross country road trip to Seattle, Washington, the destination of Burt’s new job as a physician. While driving down a country road in Nebraska, they hit a young boy, the child seemed to have already been dead when he was hit, suffering a cut to the throat. The boy was fleeing the town of Gatlin Nebraska, which is where Burt and Vicky unknowingly go to seek help. Upon entering the town, they notice that it seems to be abandoned. Dead corn stalks are strewn about the town, on the empty streets and inside the vacant buildings. Burt and Vicky come upon an old house and Burt decides they should go inside and see if anyone can help them. Hearing noises, the pair run upstairs to investigate. In a back bedroom they discover

Isaac and his lieutenant Malachai, explain that in order for the harvest to be bountiful each year, they must sacrifice all the adults to He Who Walks Behind the Rows. Sarah and Job do not wish to be part of this cult and therefore refrain from taking part in their rituals in the corn. Soon after Burt and Vicky’s arrival, Isaac and his followers capture Vicky and prepare her to be sacrificed to He Who Walks Behind the Rows. The children mount her on a cross in the middle of the corn field, but eventually choose to use her as bait to lure Burt to them so that the they can capture both the adults at once. The cultists grow tired of following Isaacs orders and Malachai decides Isaac deserves to be sacrificed. Malachai raises Isaac onto a cross where he is devoured by He Who Walks Behind the Rows. Burt arrives and attempts to convince the children that they have been brainwashed by Isaac and that their actions are wrong. Isaac, possessed by He Who Walks Behind the Rows, reappears and kills Malachai, snapping his neck. With their leaders dead, the children of Gatlin are left confused with no sense of