Human-eating mantises
When the plague 412E is released, everyone in close proximity to the compound turns into human-eating mantises that only with eat and mate. These mantises could be an allergy of the bullies, as they are the ones that first turn into the creatures. Instead of them just destroying the lives of Shannon, Austin and Robbie, they are destroying the whole world.
Szerba
The name Szerba alone is an important factor and image in the book. Smith explained the reason behind the ancestry and flashbacks in polish; because of the name he chose for his main character. He also stated that the name was chosen only based on the fact that he liked the way “s” and “z” looked together, and when he invented the name, he thought it looked polish.
Arek
The external battle against the mantises was not the only battle that was lost in the book. Even though Austin had sexual feelings and thoughts about his best friend, Robbie, they were never acted upon, and vice-versa. In the ending of the book, Austin revealed that he had a son with Shannon named Arek. That means that he continued with his relationship with Shannon, even though he had feelings for Robbie. Therefore, Arek himself is an important image and character in the book, even though he isn’t deeply analyzed nor developed.
