Hide and Seeker: Chapters 1–9

by Daka Hermon
While playing a game of hide and seek at their friend Zee's welcome home party, Justin and his friends get pulled into a shadowy world. They have to confront their worst nightmares as they try to escape the Seeker monster and find their way home.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–9, Chapters 10–20, Chapters 21–33
35 words 198 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. piercing
    very perceptive
    Her piercing gaze roams over my face.
  2. grimace
    contort the face to indicate a certain mental state
    “Whatever. I just hope Zee likes my present. Maybe I’ll teach him a song today if he’s up to it.” Nia and I grimace.
  3. scrawl
    write carelessly
    “Sweet Dreams Homemade Ice Cream—It'll make you scream!” is scrawled on the side of the cart in purple lettering.
  4. glare
    look at with a fixed or angry gaze
    Her head snaps around, and she glares at Lyric.
  5. frayed
    worn away or tattered along the edges
    I reach for the puzzle piece in my pocket. I run my fingers along the edge of the frayed cardboard.
  6. static
    concerned with electricity produced by friction
    Finally, Shae’s hand slowly falls on top of the pile. A static shock zips up my arm.
  7. eerie
    suggestive of the supernatural; mysterious
    An eerie sensation weaves its way through me.
  8. imprint
    a concavity in a surface produced by pressing
    The rough bark makes small imprints in my skin.
  9. stagger
    walk with great difficulty
    Zee staggers forward.
  10. flail
    thrash about
    Arms flailing, Lyric crashes into a table, sending the snacks flying across the backyard.
  11. trance
    a psychological state induced by a magical incantation
    He snaps out of his trance.
  12. flinch
    draw back, as with fear or pain
    I flinch. Promises. I hate promises. They're stupid. Just future lies wrapped with a big bow of disappointment.
  13. sprawl
    sit or lie with one's limbs spread out
    She gasps when she spots us sprawled on the ground.
  14. clammy
    unpleasantly cool and humid
    I clench my clammy hands into fists and inhale several deep breaths.
  15. traumatize
    inflict an emotional wound or shock upon
    Man, what happened to him while he was gone? I get he’s, like, traumatized and stuff, but the old Zee would never have come at us like that.
  16. billow
    rise and move, as in waves
    Smoke billows out from the back of a Sweet Dreams ice cream truck.
  17. covert
    secret or hidden
    He’s dressed for a funeral or covert mission, not to sell ice cream.
  18. writhing
    moving in a twisting or snake-like or wormlike fashion
    His face is a flipbook of emotions, changing so rapidly it’s hard to keep track—excitement, fear, sadness, concern—all with that writhing scar.
  19. confront
    deal with head on
    I make a mental note to tell my counselor about this decision. She’ll be happy I’m choosing to confront rather than avoid.
  20. dingy
    discolored by impurities; not bright and clear
    If there was a contest for the most neglected house on the block, mine would win. The color is a dingy white, and the black shutters hang off the windows.
  21. casual
    appropriate for ordinary or routine occasions
    Her clothing is casual, but her expression is all business.
  22. inconvenient
    not suited to your comfort, purpose or needs
    "At Tennessee Water and Electric, we understand that sometimes customers fall behind on their bills due to unexpected and inconvenient circumstances.”
  23. reinstate
    bring back into original existence, function, or position
    “We want to work with you to keep your energy costs down, and help you manage your bill. Ending your service is always the last resort, as this would make it difficult to later reinstate your account,” she reads.
  24. weary
    physically and mentally fatigued
    With a weary sigh, I climb off the bed and, one by one, place the puzzle pieces back inside the box.
  25. frantic
    excessively agitated; distraught with violent emotion
    “I'm reporting live from outside the house of Rosiland and Carl Davidson, whose ten-year-old daughter, Shae, disappeared yesterday, around three in the afternoon, from the Lake Winnepesaukah campgrounds. A frantic search is currently underway to find this precious little girl," Misty says with a thick Southern accent.
  26. distraught
    deeply agitated especially from emotion
    “As you can see, Mrs. Davidson is clearly distraught and the community is in shock,” says Misty.
  27. somberly
    in a serious and solemn manner
    She smiles, somberly, flashing unnaturally white teeth.
  28. falter
    move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
    My steps falter as I jog down my driveway. Something feels off, like something has shifted though I can’t figure out what.
  29. overwhelming
    very intense
    I look around the room again and this overwhelming need to run and hide hits me with such force I have to catch my breath.
  30. grotesque
    distorted and unnatural in shape or size
    He continues to stare at a drawing of a big insect-like creature. Its head is grotesquely large and its face is covered with red eyes—no nose, no mouth.
  31. protrude
    extend out or project in space
    The wings protruding from its back are black with spikes.
  32. sheepishly
    in a manner showing embarrassment or shame
    No police, he silently reminds her with a stern look. She sheepishly nods.
  33. plaque
    a tablet that commemorates a person or achievement
    Quincy unsteadily follows as we ride past a brick sign with a plaque that reads “Meade Circle.”
  34. flush
    turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame
    Lyric wipes his hand over his sweaty, flushed face.
  35. muzzle
    forward projecting part of the head of certain animals
    The flabby flesh around its mouth curls as globs of drool roll off its muzzle. The dog eyes us like we're its next meal and it's starved.
Created on Fri Apr 01 13:06:35 EDT 2022 (updated Mon Apr 11 09:26:43 EDT 2022)

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