Credence

Armed with guns, Noah and Kaleb stay up in the hall to watch out for Terrance and his gang. Tiernan wants to know the reason why Terrance is after her. Noah cryptically replies that people like Terrance are not satisfied with their share and “want it all” (234). Noah begins watching an old movie on TV. When Tiernan teases him about his movie choice, he switches to a pornographic film with themes of coerced sex. Tiernan gets aroused. She and Noah masturbate as Kaleb watches. Noah tells Kaleb that they have amusement for the winter in the form of Tiernan. Noah touches Tiernan and tells her that he wants to have sex with her. Jake walks in on the three of them and asks Noah to stop. Noah tells him that everything is happening with Tiernan’s consent, but he and Kaleb leave nevertheless. Jake keeps Tiernan back and spanks her to punish her, warning her to stay away from Noah and Kaleb. She seems to enjoy the pain and tells him to go on.

Jake rationalizes his treatment of Tiernan to himself. Unless he makes her physically afraid of him, she will keep making wrong choices. He knows that his sons do not love Tiernan and could hurt her.