Fade

However, the trait had already taken a major toll on Ozzie, and unfortunately Paul's attempts to save his nephew were useless. Paul was forced to murder Ozzie in self-defense. .
             Robert Cormier arouses his readers emotionally through the novels gripping plot. One harrowing incident occurs when Paul is in the "fade" and he spots the local bully, Omer Labatt, demanding money from an innocent young boy. Omer has always been Paul's nemesis, torturing him and chasing him every time they run into one another on the streets. Paul says, "Omer Labatt always has the ability to surprise me, popping up around corners or looming dangerously as I emerged from Dondier's Market or Lakier's Drug Store"(122). Now Paul gets his chance for sweet revenge, and has the advantage to attack without even being seen. The reader is instantly dragged into the brawl, bewildered by Paul's thoughts and unusual violent nature: "As he clutched himself bending over, I kicked again, my shoe finding his jaw this time, and he howled in agony dropping to the ground, moaning, flecks of foam spilling from his mouth" (124). Later, when Paul is visible, he relives his attack on Omer thinking to himself, "It seemed as if the person who assaulted Omer Labatt so viciously were someone other than me" (124). His questions cause the reader to fear Paul's sudden turn to violence and to nervously anticipate when this viciousness could strike again.
             Secondly, another riveting scene occurs when Paul is inside the house of his best friend, Emerson Winslow. He is in the "fade" and is spying on Emerson's twin sister Page, whom he's secretly become obsessed with. As she slips into her night robe, her twin brother enters the room. Paul watches in absolute trepidation as Emerson and his sister, Page " kissed. Hungrily, deeply, their mouths opening to each other" (120). It takes all of Paul's will power to stifle his breath as "[t]he kiss went on, small moaning sounds coming from them, and his hand slipped inside her robe" (120).