Cemetery Boys: Chapter 21–Epilogue

by Aiden Thomas
Yadriel is determined to prove to his family that he's a brujo. When he accidentally summons the ghost of classmate Julian Diaz, the two boys investigate a series of strange disappearances.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–9, Chapters 10–14, Chapters 15–20, Chapter 21–Epilogue
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. tulle
    a fine fabric net used for veils, tutus, or gowns
    Everyone was dressed for the occasion. Three small girls chased one another between headstones in poufy dresses made of tulle and satin.
  2. sconce
    a decorative wall bracket for holding candles or lights
    Dozens of candles lined the windows and stone walls. From tea lights to thick pillar candles, they adorned sconces and sat on the floor, lining the pews.
  3. sluggish
    lacking energy, quickness, or alertness
    Every sluggish heartbeat pulsed painfully through Yadriel’s veins.
  4. makeshift
    done or made using whatever is available
    The marigolds he’d grabbed were a little rumpled and wilted, but he popped the flowers off their long stems and made a small ring around the makeshift altar with the petals.
  5. erratic
    liable to sudden unpredictable change
    The candles flared, their flames tall and erratic.
  6. labored
    requiring or showing effort
    He was sickly pale, but Yadriel could see the labored rise and fall of his chest.
  7. wisp
    a thin tuft, piece, or amount of something
    Wisps curled from the handle of the dagger and into the air like golden smoke.
  8. pelt
    the dressed hairy coat of a mammal
    A tall man stood facing him. A jaguar pelt, golden with black and brown spots, was draped over his bare chest. He wore the upper jaw and head of a jaguar as a crown.
  9. detached
    lacking affection or warm feeling
    Tío Catriz’s smile was forced. “I’m sorry, Yadriel,” he said, detached and unconcerned. “I will take what’s mine.”
  10. cavernous
    being or suggesting a large dark enclosed space
    “Don’t make me hurt you, Yadriel!” his voice boomed through the cavernous crypt.
  11. incantation
    a ritual reciting of words believed to have a magical effect
    Catriz rolled his hands through the air, muttering incantations as he backed up, coaxing the jaguar to drag itself out of the cenote.
  12. stupor
    feeling of distress and disbelief when something bad happens
    Maritza’s panicked shout broke him out of his stupor.
  13. gilded
    made from or covered with gold
    Yadriel caught a glimpse of thick, black hair under her gilded lace mantle. A crown of marigolds rested upon her head, their petals gently falling around her.
  14. impassive
    having or revealing little emotion or sensibility
    Lady Death remained impassive. “I can’t undo what has been done.”
  15. doting
    extravagantly or foolishly loving and indulgent
    He thought of Miguel, his gentle cousin who was a great man and a doting son.
  16. raspy
    unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound
    His pulse raced and his lungs burned with raspy breaths.
  17. apprehensive
    in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
    Enrique looked him down, confused and apprehensive.
  18. gurney
    a metal stretcher with wheels
    Strapped to a gurney, his body felt heavy, every muscle sore. The paramedic cut open his shirt and dressed the stab wound on his chest first, with layers of gauze and tape.
  19. onslaught
    a rapid and continuous outpouring
    He’d been lying in bed, staring blankly at the TV on the wall as it showed an onslaught of infomercials.
  20. elicit
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
    When he tried to sit up, he was hit with a violent ache in his chest, eliciting a groan.
  21. ensue
    take place or happen afterward or as a result
    Luca threw himself across Julian’s lap, and a scuffle ensued, if you could really call it that.
  22. haggard
    showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
    He was a haggard mess, but he let out a heavy sigh of relief.
  23. fervently
    with strong emotion or zeal
    Yadriel threw himself against Julian and wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed him fervently.
  24. cinch
    pull, fasten, or tie something tightly
    His mom wore a long red dress that rustled over the ground as she stepped forward. A yellow sash was cinched around her waist.
  25. tousle
    disarrange or rumple; dishevel
    Yadriel was used to seeing his dad in his checkered shirts with tousled hair and tired eyes, working in the cemetery or dozing off on the couch.
  26. precipice
    a very steep cliff
    “The aquelarre celebrates transition. All of you are on the precipice between youth and adulthood,” he said to the line of young brujx.
  27. candor
    the quality of being honest and straightforward
    Yadriel held his breath, frozen in place by his dad’s sincerity and candor.
  28. deviation
    a variation from the standard or norm
    “Growth isn’t a deviation from what we’ve done before, but a natural progression to honor all those who make this community strong.”
  29. fortitude
    strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity
    “Your healing of Yadriel was another act of great love and fortitude. Something tells me we will see great things from you both,” his dad said before addressing all four of them and adding, "From all of you.”
  30. full-fledged
    having gained complete status
    “You are here because you have already proven you are exactly what you were meant to be. As you become full-fledged members of our community, we will help guide you to be the eyes, ears, and hands of Our Lady Death,” Enrique went on, looking at each of the four of them in turn.
Created on Tue Oct 06 10:16:01 EDT 2020 (updated Thu Oct 08 14:07:25 EDT 2020)

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