High-concept storytelling in Gone 4: Speaking for the group

Introduction

The passage in the last lesson introduced a lot of tension - kids at the school are starting to panic. Rather than join in, Sam, Astrid and Quinn keep their heads, get away from the mob, and break into the staffroom. No one’s there and no television station is working. While they think about this new information, they’re distracted.

Have a read.

The door slammed open and in rushed two kids, fifth-grade boys, their faces wild, excited. “We own the school!” one yelled, and the other gave an answering hoot.

“We’re going to bust open the candy machine,” the first one announced.

“That’s maybe not a good idea,” Sam said.

“You can’t tell us what to do.” Belligerent, but not sure of himself, not sure he was right.

“You’re right, little dude. But look, how about we all try and keep it together till we figure out what’s going on?” Sam said.

“You keep it together,” the kid yelled. The other one hooted again, and off they went.

Gone(2008)

Without going back to the mob, we get an idea about how everyone’s feeling. It’s an excellent way of keeping the tension without a big production.

Representing the mob.
From the way the boys are behaving, how do you think the rest of the school are feeling? Are things getting better, worse, or staying the same?
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