First there was this:
QUOTE
“Sea serpents!” gasped Rhano.
“Where?” Jerric scanned the water, right hand open and ready while his left kept him steady. He pulled his feet up, just in case.
“I didn’t see any. I’m just saying, there might be sea serpents.”
Now I know from this that the two boys are close enough to gauge what each other is thinking. Then there was this:
QUOTE
“Don’t use more than half of your air this time if you think you might turn back,” Rhano cautioned. “Do you want me to wait?”
“Yeah,” said Jerric, hoping to see at least a glimmer to show him the way. “I don’t want to back up with you behind me.”
“Well I don’t want your rotten zombie feet in my face.”
Now I know that all the dunking and good-natured ribbing masks a real affection that the boys have for each other
The rest of this chapter is just filled with moments like that. They draw us into a feeling of empathy with the boys. That's why I got the chills when they realized that high tide would see the chamber fill. Even though I know Rhano makes it out alive (I saw him today as a matter of fact), I'm still on pins and needles here.
Fantastic!