Chapter 4 of All the Colors of the Dark immerses readers in a striking landscape where the towering pines stand against a backdrop of golden light and blue shadows. Patch, the protagonist, is seen traversing the trails near the town’s edge, with the expansive Loess Hills looming over the Missouri River. The industrial air from nearby cities hangs heavy, blending with the serene landscape. As Patch moves through the area, he encounters the remnants of abandoned vehicles, such as a Dodge sunken into the earth and an Eastern redbud tree where a pamphlet is caught. Among these forgotten items, a smiling image of Jimmy Carter is spotted, reflecting an attempt to reach out to the community, offering a sense of connection despite the isolation of the area. The juxtaposition of these elements highlights the complexity of life in this fading rural town, where old remnants of past lives linger alongside attempts at unity.

Patch’s exploration takes him to a lake that holds deep, haunting memories of his childhood. A faded sign warns of dangerous currents, but the real tale lies in the local legend of a boy named Colson who vanished while swimming there, his disappearance casting a long, eerie shadow over the lake. The peaceful scene takes on an unsettling atmosphere as whispers of Colson’s spirit, said to lurk beneath the surface, add an air of mystery to the surroundings. This lake, once a place of innocence, now evokes a sense of foreboding, with rumors suggesting that the spirit of the lost boy might reach out from the depths at any moment, targeting unsuspecting girls. These whispers fuel the fear surrounding the lake, transforming it from a tranquil childhood memory into a place of danger and superstition.

The chapter shifts in tone when Patch, leaning against the crumbling Monta Clare railroad, is suddenly startled by a scream echoing across the valley. His curiosity leads him to investigate, where he finds Misty Meyer, a classmate, seemingly in danger. Beside her stands a shadowy figure, a man cloaked in a hood, whose ominous presence sends a wave of panic through Patch. The weight of the situation sinks in as another scream shatters the silence, heightening his alarm. Patch, driven by instinct, knows that immediate action is needed, and adrenaline surges through his body as he prepares to intervene. The desperate need to protect Misty propels him forward, fueled by a combination of fear and a sense of duty.

Patch, relying on instinct and his surroundings, grabs a rock to confront the man. The assailant’s face is hidden behind a balaclava, adding an element of mystery and danger. Patch shouts at Misty to run, urging her to escape while he faces the threat head-on. Initially frozen by fear, Misty’s survival instincts soon take over, and she flees, the figure of the man chasing her. Patch, determined to shield her from harm, draws a dagger, ready to defend her at all costs. A violent struggle ensues between Patch and the man, escalating the tension to a breaking point. In a cruel twist, the assailant manages to turn the weapon against Patch, stabbing him in a brutal reversal of fate. Overcome by pain and blood loss, Patch begins to lose consciousness, his vision darkening as the chapter ends on a grim note.

The conclusion of the chapter leaves a dark shadow over the community. The sounds of Patch’s fall echo as a search is initiated, and a grieving mother prepares to face the aftermath of her son’s injury. The unsettling calm of the town is shattered by the events that have just unfolded, marking a significant shift in Patch’s life and foreshadowing the tragic consequences of his actions. The sense of tension in the air is palpable, and readers are left with an eerie anticipation of the fallout from this violent encounter. As the chapter closes, the stage is set for further revelations, and Patch’s path forward seems uncertain, with his bravery and his suffering highlighting the complexities of growing up in a world filled with danger, fear, and loss.