Explicit Details
Who wakes Michael from his dream?
Taylor
What might Michael’s nightmares suggest about his mental state?
He is traumatized or anxious about past events
Why does Taylor say, “It’s okay, you’re just dreaming”?
to comfort Michael after his nightmare?
What emotion does the phrase “the right side of my mouth was tickling like crazy” express?
nervousness or lingering tension after a nightmare?
What does Michael say was happening on the right side of his mouth when he woke up?
tickling like crazy
What does Taylor’s attempt to “take them away” show about her personality
She is compassionate and wants to help Michael?
Why does Tessa say “They can’t hear a bomb, but they can hear me whisper ‘Elgen’”?
to mock how overcautious the agents are being
What might “the same background keeps going by” symbolize?
being stuck in an endless journey?
Where are Michael and the others traveling when the story begins?
In the van
Why might the men in suits be so secretive about their destination?
Because their mission or location is confidential or dangerous?
Based on the details, what kind of setting are they most likely in?
a remote desert or rural area
Why might Taylor have appeared in Michael’s nightmare this time?
because she’s important to him and he fears losing her?
What event causes Michael’s recurring nightmares?
The explosion and sinking of the Ampere?
What does the exchange between Tessa and the passenger reveal about her attitude?
she’s defiant and sarcastic toward authority
Why might the “timepiece ranch” be chosen as their destination?
because it offers privacy and isolation for secret operations?
What does Michael’s comment about detonating a bomb reveal about his worldview?
that he’s become used to danger and thinks practically about it
What kind of cattle do they see out the window?
Brangus cattle?
Why does Michael say “It’s better we don’t know where we are”?
because if they were captured, they couldn’t reveal information under torture?
What does the banter among the group suggest about their relationship?
hey are familiar, comfortable, and use humor to handle stress
How does humor function in this passage?
it relieves tension and shows group bonding during stress