Content Warning: This section includes discussions of sexual relationships between teachers and students, psychological manipulation, and abuses of power.

An unnamed person is digging a grave, in pain from the effort. The person, struggling to dig the grave alone, regrets the absence of their partner, who left after the first layer of dirt was dug. It is cold outside, but the person is warm from the activity. The person hears a noise and worries that someone might catch them, but it is only a squirrel. The person rushes on, not sure how deep to dig, only worried about being finished before the sun comes up.

The action switches to three months before the Prologue. Eve Bennett prepares for work alongside her husband, Nathaniel “Nate” Bennett. They are both teachers at Caseham High School. She teaches math, and he teaches English. Eve knows that everyone envies her and is likely curious how she married a good-looking man like Nate. He was voted the hottest teacher the previous year by the senior class. However, Eve is unhappy in a marriage that has become stale and bogged down by routine. The couple recently bought a house, and Nate would like to fill it with children, but they only have sex once a month.