Missing (Run #5)

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

"As he walked, Mac began to hear the faint sound of running water in the distance." Define the word "faint". What context clue helped you?

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

"He [Mac] worked to summon his earlier hope that she [Anna] had just gone for a walk." Define/give an example of "summon".

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

"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".

"Mac sat bolt upright and threw off his blankets" Describe what "bolt upright" means. Why did he wake up in this manner?

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?

How did Dennis know it wasn't likely that a zombie had attacked Anna and Dennis while they were sleeping?

"...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?

"The figure was bent over and seemeed to be looking down, unaware of his presence." Define the word "unaware." How does the prefix "un" change the meaning of the root word?

"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".

"The bumpy ground jolted the truck around..". Define or give a synoym for "jolted".

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

Use context to determine the meaning of "stealth". "Zombies weren't known for their stealth--he definitely would have woken up to their loud graons and heavy, clumsy footsteps."

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

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

Mac tried to "will" Dennis and Jeremiah to not wake up. What does to "will" something mean?

"[Dennis] thought about trying for some more rest, but his stomach objected with loud growl." Define the word "objected". Object is a homonym; what else can this word mean?

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