How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
A dark mass swirled behind us, as if a funnel cloud had been turned on its side and we were staring up one end […] The hairs on my arms stood straight, as if my body were reacting to an electrical current from the cloud, and then the mark started to spin and churn on my skin. (29.28)
This scene takes the cake for creepy supernatural stuff that happens to Nikki. It's bad enough that she has to see an unnatural funnel cloud appear out of nowhere and have no effect on the surrounding environment—she also has to experience her mark from the Tunnels actually changing shape on her arm. Ugh.
Quote #8
"You see, ancient myth has us believe death can occur only when the ka leaves the body. Akh ghosts replenish their kas constantly, and therefore the ka never leaves their bodies and death cannot touch them." (30.110)
It's funny to listen to Professor Spears talk about the Everliving from such a distant, academic perspective. We're thinking he doesn't necessarily believe that they exist, but he can list what other scholars think of the phenomenon. It's pretty wild to consider, though, that there's scholarship about the myths of soul-stealing from ancient Egypt.
Quote #9
"If there is an afterlife, I want my soul intact. And then maybe I'll see you there." (32.73)
When the Tunnels finally come for Nikki, Jack is there with her. He asks her to consider going with Cole if it'll save her an eternity of suffering, but she refuses, saying she doesn't want to sell her soul because she might miss out on seeing Jack in the afterlife. It sounds like she's not really sure about how any of this stuff works, but she wants to play it safe now that Jack's a priority in her life again.