Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu Chapters 20-25

a feeling of mixed fear, respect, and wonder

A rush of cold slammed into Hazel, and of dread, and of awe.

to take the color out of

Her skin had been blanched by the night's cold, and her cheeks looked blue-black.

happening all the time or very often over a period of time

He worked diligently, constantly, but every time he made something fit together, another problem presented itself.

without signs of life : BARREN

The witch did not step toward them, she did not call to them, she merely stood there, completely still, the center of this desolate universe.

to spread or allow to spread freely

Hazel could feel her heart lose its solidity and diffuse slowly in her chest.

showing steady and earnest care and hard work

He worked diligently, constantly, but every time he made something fit together, another problem presented itself.

a period that is important or memorable

It had been just over a week ago, but for Hazel it felt like an epoch away.

to change into vapor

If your conscious thoughts would evaporate away before you did.

not important

She huddled her shoulders together, as if trying to make herself as inconsequential as possible, and still trudged forward.

showing no lessening of severity, intensity, or strength

Something released inside of her, some cold inexorable pulling.

deserving to be criticized or regretted

She was a lamentable splotch, her black hair and brown skin and green shirt and blue jeans and purple backpack a speck in this eternal whiteness.

to remove (a chemical, a metal, etc.) from a substance by the action of a liquid passing through the substance

She held him like that, willing him to leach warmth from her, willing his body to learn from the rhythm of her heartbeat, the steadiness of her breath.

having or showing a desire to cause harm to another person

They walked across malevolent swirling whiteness and did not know if they would survive.

happiness and laughter : merry behavior

Maybe even mirth.

to make or become unable to feel pain or touch

So Hazel flung herself into the thin layer of icy slush watery mess and rolled around in it, numbing her skin until she was part ice cube herself.

not being conscious or aware

Here, they sat in the shrieking shack oblivious to the world's crushed-up beer cans.

very unwilling to spend money

The neighbors were parsimonious with their ice.

a very steep side of a mountain or cliff

If she fell off the precipice she might tumble through the snow for all eternity.

to keep or save from injury, loss, or ruin : PROTECT

And he did sign it and he told you to get some sleep, and you didn't let anyone else touch the ball and you looked up on the Internet how to preserve it best, and you didn't even let me touch it.

to move in a violent and confused way

She was staring into an endless wall of whirling, whipping, roiling snow.

to hold back

He was wet and so cold he felt wrong to her, and she had to work to suppress a shudder.

not safe because of hidden dangers

The ice seemed a treacherous thing to walk on.

a state of noisy confusion or disorder

It was not survivable, the cold and the tumult and the endless sickening sky.

done with courage : HEROIC

"Um, I'm sorry," she said, struggling valiantly to keep her voice steady.