with a sizzle and a screech , each rat whether in the middle of a leap or rushing up a leg , whether inside or outside a defensive cocoon instantly dropped dead to the floor . they walked along the dusty road to their tent , turning back every so often as if to confirm what seemed unreal . he feared he was already too late . the boys were required to collect more firewood , which they did reluctantly . trying hard to think about what i knew about airplanes rather than those muscles did not work . 