Columbine

Eric continues to work on plans for getting bombs into the school cafeteria. Confused by how to sneak the bombs in, Eric eventually decides to do what he and Dylan ultimately do: just walk in with them. Cullen says of this decision: “It was a bold move, but textbook psychopath. Perpetrators of complex attacks tend to focus on weak links and minimize risk. Psychopaths are reckless” (305-06).

Cullen shifts his focus to Dylan,indicating that Dylan remained on the fence about the plan and “had three choices: give in, back out, or perform a hasty suicide” (307). Dylan writes a story that effectively details the events that will take place during the massacre and turns it in to his creative writing teacher. The teacher considers the writing very good but is deeply worried and calls Dylan’s parents, who “did not seem too worried,” according to the teacher (308). Cullen asserts that at this time, “Dylan wasn’t quite ready to embrace murder. He would fight it almost until the end. But from here on, he was close” (309).

The boys take target practice at a nearby shooting range and continue planning. Dylan tells friend Zack Heckler that he (Dylan) now owns firearms but will not mention the fact again.