With skis on and poles in hand, Nate inched toward the ski lift. He felt his hands grip the poles tighter and tighter with every shuffle. Nate stood in place and waited for the moving seat to arrive. His knees trembled, and his heart raced like the wind. Would he be able to hop on without falling or hurting himself? Why does the author most likely use the underlined phrase?

Well based on the summary,   the setting plays a big role in char. development since the cat has been spoiled and babied her whole life she has to figure out how to survive on there own for the first time. and since winter is coming the cat is faced with lots of dangers and troubles. but, like you said with the storm that brought an invasion of rats, since she is   a cat shell figure out how to kill and get food and the storm is the best way to learn right. can you mark me brainliest pls! read more on -