My first thoughts were it being some sort of child abuse, maybe even the really vile kind.
Then again, I AM damaged from true crime video marathons. XD
No cause I was thinking something like that or some sort of sacrifice. Those town people are really odd.
Oh true!
Given zombies are basically akin to magical stuff and satanism also exists in regular our-world settings, there being a sacrifical cult going on somewhere makes sense. People ARE nuts in desperate and trying times.
Please don’t tell me the kid died .