The Garage
The narrator describes the rotten appearance of the garage in vivid detail, appealing to a variety of senses and thus sharpening its image in the reader's mind. When Michael peeks inside for the first time, he can see that it is falling apart: Instead of a door, it has planks nailed across the entrance and the timbers holding the roof are so rotten that the roof is sagging in. There are cracks and holes in the floor, and broken items lying around. Spiders, flies, and woodlice—insects associated with filth and rottenness—crawl around. The image of decay is further enhanced by describing the dead bluebottles and the bones of a dead animal found in the garage, which cause a rotten smell. Moreover, when Michael enters the garage, he feels spider webs breaking on his brow, snapping on his clothes and skin, which indicates that the items inside have not been moved in a long time. In fact, he finds newspapers from 50 years ago. The garage is so dusty that Michael's throat and nose are clogged, and he can hear a scratching sound somewhere. Therefore, Almond carefully crafts the exploration of the garage by gradually adding descriptions of sensual experiences as Michael makes his way to Skellig.
Skellig in the Garage
When Michael finally reaches Skellig, the image of the homeless man is filthy and rotten, just like the surroundings. He does not seem to have moved in a long time because he is covered in dead flies, dust, and spider webs. His face is thin and pale, which makes Michael think that he is dead, with his legs stretched out and his back against the wall. When Skellig talks to him, his voice is squeaky, indicating that he has not used it in years. In fact, Skellig's simple "What do you want?" frightens Michael so much that his heart thuds and thunders, which emphasizes Skellig's image as a rather frightening figure.
Skellig's Dance with Michael and Mina
The picture that Almond paints of Skellig's spiritual dance with Michael and Mina stands in stark contrast to the first description of Skellig in the garage, emphasizing that the angel has regained his physical strength and magical power. Similar to the exploration of the garage, the event unfolds gradually: At first, Michael seems a little frightened, and Skellig takes his hand as if to reassure him. Still, there are disgusting elements to Skellig, like the stench of his breath, which is so sickening that Michael gags. Slowly and carefully, however, Michael is drawn into the dance. The dancers' faces are illuminated by moonlight, adding to the mysteriousness of the place and the action. The repetition in "Each face spun from shadow to light, from shadow to light, from shadow to light" illustrates the spinning motion of the dance and makes the reader a part of the action. The faces of Mina and Skellig now appear more silvery and expressionless, with their eyes "darker, more empty, more penetrating," which Michael considers threatening, as he tries to pull away and break the circle. He feels Skellig's hand tighten on his, indicating that he is forced to dance. Mina then repeats Skellig's "Don't stop," which means she has reached a state of trance or illumination earlier than Michael. When Michael continues, he eventually finds himself smiling like the others. His heart still races and thunders, but eventually, he is elevated to a higher state of being, with Mina and Skellig's hearts beating along with his own in a steady, rolling rhythm. This feeling of being one with them leads to the climax of the dance, when he no longer feels the floorboards against his feet: He sees "ghostly wings" at Mina's back and feels wings growing from his shoulders as well. Almond abruptly ends this key event with "Then it was over." This short sentence leaves the reader with disappointment after having experienced the dance like Michael due to vivid imagery.
Skellig's Hideout
The place of Skellig's dance with Michael and Mina is described as dark, mysterious, and possibly dangerous. Through the use of threatening images and whispering sounds Almond gradually and carefully builds up suspense: Mina leads Michael to a house made of blackened stone, with a painted red sign over the door that read "Danger." The girl senses Michael's insecurity because she tells him to take no notice, as the sign is only supposed to keep vandals out. As soon as Mina enters the building, she whispers that Michael should come inside quickly. The whispering and haste create a feeling of suspense because clearly there is something in the building—possibly something threatening—that she does not want to unsettle with a loud noise. Inside, it is pitch black. While Mina leads Michael up the stairs, he makes out passageways and hallways, which make the building look like a dark labyrinth to him, which, again, adds to the feeling of mystery. When they arrive at the door to the attic, Mina tells Michael that "they might not want [him] to be there" and "might attack." Moreover, she asks Michael how brave he is, but, again, she does not tell him who or what exactly it is that might attack. Without waiting for Michael's answer, she opens the door and holds her breath. Eventually, Michael and the reader discover owls nesting in the attic.
