Sirens, Howling (Auditory Imagery)
When recounting the day his brother Shawn is murdered, Will recalls the sounds that followed the gunshots: "Lots and lots of sirens, howling, cutting through the sounds of the city. Except the screams. The screams are always heard over everything. Even the sirens." In this example of auditory imagery, Will describes how the howling police and ambulance sirens overpower every other ambient city sound but still cannot compete with the piercing screams of frightened witnesses.
Perfume Cutting Through Smoke (Olfactory Imagery)
When Dani steps into the elevator with Will and Buck, Will can detect her perfume through Buck's cigarette smoke, saying: "Perfume, sweet, fresh, cutting through the cigarette smoke." In this example of olfactory imagery, Will immerses the reader in his experience by detailing the contrasting scents of Buck's unpleasant cigarette smoke and Dani's appealing perfume.
Bubble Gum and Blood (Visual Imagery)
When Will realizes he is speaking to the ghost of Dani, a childhood friend, he remembers the day she died from a stray bullet while they were on the playground. Will tells Dani that he "star[ed] at her the whole time. Her eyes wide, the brightness dimming. Her mouth, open. Bubble gum and blood." In this example of visual imagery, Will recalls granular details of Dani's last moments of life, remembering how she had chewing gum in her mouth as internal bleeding brought blood up her throat.
The Smell of My Own Piss (Olfactory Imagery)
When Will's father takes the pistol from behind Will's back and holds it to Will's head, Will is overcome by terror. The possibility of being killed provokes a physiological reaction and Will pees his pants, not realizing he is doing it until he feels the warm liquid on his leg. Will also notes a change in the elevator's atmosphere: "Cigarette smoke cut once again, this time by the smell of my own piss." In this example of olfactory imagery, Will references the earlier change in scent that occurred when he could smell Dani's perfume. This time, it is the embarrassing scent of his own urine that cuts through Buck's smoke.
