Pete Simmons

Pete Simmons is the hero in the story “Mile 81.” He is a 10-year-old boy who believes Rachel when she tells him that a mud-covered station wagon ate her parents even though that is logically not possible. Pete had been exploring the abandoned rest stop at Mile 81 when he heard Rachel’s screams. He watched as the car ate Jimmy, the trooper who was supposed to be protecting the children. Pete wanted to run, but knew that he could not abandon the younger children. He feared they would be hurt on their own. Hoping to stop the car from hurting anyone else, Pete attempts to burn it with his magnifying glass. He does not kill the car, but wounds it badly enough that it shoots back up to the sky and does not kill anyone else.

Ray

Ray is the central character in the story “Premium Harmony.” He...