“I think dad just lives in an alternate universe.”

At this point in the novel, this quote comes across as an offhand joke that Emily makes to explain her dad’s inability to function on the same time schedule as everyone else. However, it also foreshadows the events to come. Emily will soon learn that there is an alternate universe, and Silas tells her that one of the amulet’s powers is the possibility of turning back time to when her dad was still alive.

“‘Hey Dad, I get to play a game when we get there, right?’

‘Mm-hmm.’

‘Okay, cool.’”

The novel opens with this kind of everyday, mundane conversation—that is also good-natured, lighthearted, and fun—which establishes how comfortable and happy Emily is in her family life. It creates a stark contrast to the tragedy that is about to occur. Emily’s family has no idea about the traumatic events around the corner, and the Prologue illustrates how quickly life can be completely upended and irrevocably changed.

“‘DAVID!!!’

‘You need to look after Emily. Let go.’”

This scene is important because David’s death impacts the family in obvious and untold ways. It also introduces an idea that recurs throughout the rest of the novel: Characters are often forced to make difficult decisions in order to take care of other people in need. Both Karen and David make a sacrifice here, and it becomes a formative moment for Emily.