| Term | Definition |
| pursue | follow |
| mourn | feel sorrow or sadness for death |
| myriad | a lot of, thousands |
| ponder | wonder, think a long time over something |
| startled | caused to feel sudden shock or alarm, surprised |
| eliciting | evoke or call on a response from someone |
| nodded | move head up and down to indicate agreement or understanding |
| forbade | refused to allow, not permitted |
| siblings | brothers and sisters |
| looters | people who steal |
| chagrin | distressed or humiliated |
| blunt | very to the point and direct |
| terms of endearment | nicknames used for loved ones |
| fend for himself | independent |
| fiercely | aggressively, with force |
| antsy | impatient and agitated |
| groundbreaking | something very new, big, and exciting |
| sustainable | able to be maintained |
| hypocrite | a person who says one thing and does the opposite |
| commotion | a lot of noise or activity |
| relish | enjoy very greatly |
| carry the burden | hold the greatest responsibility and blame if things go wrong |
| under the radar | going unnoticed; able to do things without people noticing |
| chilling | frightening |
| crucial | very important; necessary |
| frantic | done quickly and nervously |
| compromise | coming to an agreement; meeting in the middle |
| conjure | make something appear or come to your mind out of nowhere |
| painstakingly | with much effort |
| smirk | smile with hidden or evil intentions; a clever look |
| precarious | dangerous |
| render | provide or give a service |
| unabashed | not embarrassed or ashamed |
| shrouded | covered to conceal from view; hidden |
| commiserate | express sympathy and understanding of a bad situation |
| presumptuous | arrogant and overly confident |
| encounter | find |
| badger | bother someone; annoy in an attempt to get something you want |
| illuminate | show the truth or light; reveal |
| tattered | old and torn; in bad condition |
| prestigious | inspiring respect and admiration; having high status |
| conspiratorial | involving a secret plan by two or more people to do something that is harmful or illegal |
| heinous | extremely hateful or wicked |
| snippet | a small piece or brief summary of events |
