Fear is a primary theme and motivator of every character. From the start, fear is ingrained in the plot when kids panic about teachers and school staff vanishing before their eyes. Hysteria sets in, and the emotional and mental stress sharpens when they realize all adults are missing. Left on their own, Sam and his friends must learn how to survive while mourning the loss of their parents/caregivers, older siblings, and other adults. Struggling to establish a peaceful, working society, the characters wrestle with intense fears that tend to control their actions (or inactions).

Sam is too afraid to use his powers, a state of mind that lasts for at least half the novel. His fear and guilt drive him to repress his power. Sam is so scared of his power harming others as it did with Tom or giving into the thrill of his strength that he doesn’t unlock his potential as a protective leader until Caine threatens his life and the lives of those he loves. Before that, Sam runs away from conflict, which frightens him, but his deeper fear is that he doesn’t want to disappoint anyone by not being the brave, powerful, wise leader they expect.