because of that , everyone was fair game , and they would n't hesitate to turn against each other . `` you 're their leader , '' he said , through labored breaths . all during this he stood silent and still and let her tease . when josie 's eyebrows came together as she worked out who i was referring to , i gave myself an imaginary beating . i still could n't say anything without them hearing , but i could at least not look like an idiot staring off into space . all stared with the terrible fascination of the doomed . 