The book takes place in a small town where everyone knows each other, as well as everyone’s family history. Throughout the book, there is a pervasive sense that the main characters are being watched and that their secrets could get out. At certain parts, this sense is accurate
Not Lady, the protagonist’s dog. An unnamed pet dog was tortured and killed before the events of the book. This incident is brought up several times throughout the book
It is left open to interpretation if the character is SAed or not, he disassociates during the night and has no memory of what occurred. It is brought up as a possibility
Throughout. The protagonist is just beginning to come out at the start of the book, and not to everyone. Several people still refer to him by his deadname, but he picks and chooses when to correct them, while at the same time weighing his safety