: Despite their friction, Teo and Jem begin to dismantle each other's walls, suggesting that true safety is found in connection rather than isolation.

: Both men are haunted by "ghosts," though they manifest differently—one through paranoia, the other through a desperate need for safety. The Architecture of Suspense

Ashe uses a tight, suspenseful structure to mirror the internal chaos of his characters.

: Ashe subverts typical "damsel in distress" tropes by giving Jem internal agency and Teo significant moral flaws.

: His past traumas make him a "lamb," yet his resilience defines his character arc.