"He drew in his breath when the beam of his flashlight passed over what he knew instantly was a human--or zombie". Describe or give a synonym for "beam".

"Walking parallel to the footprints, Mac sett off into the woods." Define the word parallel.

"...thoughts screeched through his head at dizzying speeds". Define the word "screech". Why do you think the author chose to use this word?

As he was driving, Dennis turned on the radio out of habit. How did hearing music instead of static make his feel? confusion, comfort, hope? Why?

"...the idea rang hollow in his [Mac's] head" (Anna leaving because she needed to clear her head). What does "rang hollow" mean? Why would this idea ring hollow?

"He steered the truck along the path of footprints as quickly as he could amid the thickening trees." What does the word "amid" mean? (What part of this word gives you a clue?)

"[Dennis] mumbled to himself as the grim details of the previous day came back to him". Define or give a synonym for "grim".

When Mac saw the figure at the stream, he checked to make sure his shoelaces were tied. Why?

Mac used a tiny keychain flashlight to look for Anna. "He wished desperately that he had something bigger". Define the word "desperately".

"Dennis awoke with a startle." How does this compare to the way in which Mac woke earlier?

Mac let Dennis and Jeremiah sleep while he left to find Anna. Describe the conflict Mac experienced in making this decision.

Dennis saw two sets of footprints that were "strangely close together". What conclusion did he reach from this information?