Ashes Part 1

I am reading Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick. I am on chapter fifteen page 88. The book starts with a teenage girl whose name is Alex. While on a hiking trip Alex notices something weird an E.M.P (electromagnetic pulse). An E.M.P disables all electronics within a certain region. Alex is with a girl named Ellie and her grandfather Jack. When the E.M.P goes off Jack is struck dead because his pace maker is dead. Determined to get off the mountain Ellie and Alex hurry off downhill. Half way down Alex and Ellie see two undead children feeding off an adult and run before they can notice them. That night Alex fears that her and Ellie might turn. When they finally get to a river downhill they run into a pack of rabid dogs. Alex saves Ellie, but she is still in danger, about to die bullets hit the dogs and save Alex and Ellie's lives. Passed out Alex wakes up inside a tent and then meets a guy named Tom an off duty marine. That's were we will leave off for now. The book seemed boring at first but then it got more interesting. I think the author wrote the book to show companionship, because this is what Alex demonstrates many times protecting Ellie's life while protecting her from the dogs risking her life for her. The theme of the book seems to be courage and companionship. This is demonstrated a lot with Alex protecting Ellie. The best character is Alex so far because she is such a good protector and friend. "No, we're not. Not today." Is what Alex says when Ellie asks if they are going to die. This is significant because it displays her companionship and determination to live. I wonder if Tom is really who he says he is.