`` there are so many other boys you could ask , '' she said . `` it 's not like we 're going to kill him . '' something about his demeanor had seemed off . `` you want to move that box out of the way ? '' there 's something in a man that goes against it . '' stella felt anxious again and she was n't sure why . it erased any notion that i 'd been imagining things . she is not fit to lead our group . like breathing through a long , clogged snorkel . 