The lightning was near now, and from fear he walked so close behind me he kept stepping on my heels. The faster I walked, the faster he walked, so I began to run. The rain was coming, roaring through the pines, and then, like a bursting Roman candle, a gum tree ahead of us was shattered by a bolt of lightning. When the deafening peal of thunder had died, and in the moment before the rain arrived, I heard Doodle, who had fallen behind, cry out, “Brother, Brother, don’t leave me! Don’t leave me!”

The imagery in this excerpt most reflects

fear and danger.

The imagery in this excerpt most reflects the intensity and danger of the situation. The lightning, fear, and rain create a sense of urgency and impending doom. The comparison of the lightning to a bursting Roman candle and the shattering of the gum tree emphasize the destructive power and suddenness of the storm. The cry of "Brother, Brother, don't leave me!" adds to the emotional intensity and highlights the bond between the narrator and Doodle.

The imagery in this excerpt most reflects the dramatic and intense atmosphere of a stormy and dangerous situation. The reader can visualize the lightning flashing and the rain roaring through the pines. The phrase "like a bursting Roman candle" vividly portrays the sudden and explosive nature of the lightning strike. Additionally, the cry of "Brother, Brother, don't leave me!" adds emotional depth and a sense of urgency to the scene. Overall, the imagery creates a feeling of suspense and fear as the characters struggle to navigate the impending storm.