His time in isolation had made him a bit more sage in his responses and gave him an air of intelligence heretofore unseen (and dubious, it would turn out).  

While billionaires fight over the moon, the earth burns and violence begins to bubble. 

She found abnormality in the normal and serenity in the strange. 

 Don't drink the water, eat the food, breathe the air, or talk to anyone, but be sure to have a good time because stress will kill you.  

Hiding in the internet age was no easy feat. 

 Shawna tailored the conversation with her old friend she hadn't seen in years to best highlight her maturity and downplay all the recklessness that still pervaded her life.

Will wasted his energy thinking of excuses to avoid expending it by working out.