Now, just for a moment, the odd arrangement of windows reminded me of a beaten face, with an eye pushed up over a badly bruised cheek, the skull injured and lopsided. I shook my head and the image disappeared. But an ominous feeling remained.
-- Narrator (Chapter 8)

Importance: Although Tom was uncomfortable about the house to which he and Jake moved in Featherbank, he went through with the move because Jake seemed so excited about the house. In this particular quote, Tom compares the outside appearance of the house to a face that has been injured in a beating. The comparison is unsettling and increases the sense of unease about the house.

We were going to be safe here. / We were going to be happy. / And for the first week, we were.
-- Narrator (Chapter 8)

Importance: Tom swears to Jake that they will be happy in the new house. He seems determined to make them happy but notes...