How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I lay there, motionless, letting his words sink in. "So, what you're trying to tell me is that Marco and Sophia, the people who've raised me since I was one, belong to some secret group that protect the world from evil?" (13.180)
So Sophia and Marco aren't watching over Gemma because they're her grandparents after all—instead it's a part of their job as these Keepers who are charged with protecting the earth from destruction. Gemma's not sure how she feels about all of this.
Quote #2
"I need a break," I announced. "I'm going outside."
"Like hell you are," Alex said.
"I'm not a little kid." I stood up straight and raised my chin, hoping I appeared more confident than I felt. "If I want to go outside then I will. I need some fresh air." (15.65-67)
Alex thinks that it's his responsibility to check-in on Gemma and make sure that she's safe at all times, but his overprotective bossiness can sure be annoying. Gemma doesn't appreciate how he just orders her around like she's a kid.
Quote #3
"Maybe we should go back to Afton and check up on things," Aislin suggested. "There might something at the house that could help us figure out where they are."
Alex stared at her, dumbfounded. "Are you crazy? There's no way we're taking Gemma back there. It's too dangerous." (16.21-22)
Poor Gemma isn't even allowed to go back to her hometown after leaving without saying goodbye. She knows that it's her responsibility to stay out of harm's way, but it majorly stinks to have her movements so restricted.
Quote #4
"At any moment during your little huddle up, someone could have strolled up, and I'm pretty sure neither one of you would've noticed," Alex said.
"Yeah we would've," I protested. "Both of us have a clear view of each side of the hall." (17.177-178)
Alex is acting like he's upset because Laylen and Gemma aren't doing their job as lookouts, but everyone can tell that he's just annoyed that they're getting along. Jealous much?
Quote #5
"There are two of them standing at the top of the stairs… What we need is a decoy." He turned around, his eyes locking on Laylen. "Someone to distract them while I get Gemma out of here."
"And I'm assuming you want me to be that decoy." Laylen's tone didn't sound bitter, but empty. (17.211-212)
Alex doesn't want Laylen around most of the time, but when they're all in mortal peril, he's suddenly happy to have Laylen on his team—so long as he acts as the decoy to distract the Death Walkers.
Quote #6
Alex cast one last look at Aislin and Laylen, then he tightened his grip on my hand and tugged me after him as he sprinted down the hall, leaving Aislin and Laylen behind to fight the deathly ice monsters by themselves. (17.224)
You have to hand it to Aislin and Laylen: They're both serious warriors. They don't even act scared when told that they have to stay behind and fight off the Death Walkers; they just rise to the challenge.
Quote #7
"You don't need to apologize," I reassured him. "It's not your fault all of this happened."
"It's partly my fault." He rubbed his forehead and let out a stressed sigh. "I knew what Stephan was planning to do to you, and I didn't do anything to stop it." (23.91-92)
Poor Laylen acts like it was his duty to protect Gemma as a kid even though he was just a kid himself. Shouldn't Sophia, Marco, or one of the other adult Keepers have spoken out against Stephan's plan?
Quote #8
I started to argue. "But I—"
He cut me off. "Look, I know it's hard—always being the one who has to hide. But that's the way it has to be. You can't change who you are no matter how much you want to. Trust me." (24.15-16)
Gemma hates the idea of hiding while the others fight off the Death Walkers for her, but Laylen assures her that they all have their duties. Hers is to stay safe and alive.
Quote #9
"I said I was sorry about that. I didn't understand the situation," Alex said apologetically, staring down at the floor.
"The situation," I repeated, my confusion swirling just about as bad as the room was. "What situation?" (36.24-25)
At the very end of the book, Gemma realizes that Alex is going along with Stephan's plan after all. He doesn't like what they're doing, but he believes that it's his responsibility to let it happen for the sake of humanity.
Quote #10
He glared at me. "Your mother needed to be gotten rid of. She was getting in the way. And she went like a coward—crying the whole way to take you instead of her. She didn't seem to understand that the world's fate is depending on you and your inability to feel." (36.35)
Stephan tries to act like Gemma's mom didn't understand her duties as a Keeper and was weak, but Gemma knows that her mom was acting out of love—and there's nothing wrong with that.