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Question

Now Boston is full of zombie-like people. Clay and his new acquaintance Tom just arrived at the inn Clay stayed at.
When he see a girl before the inn, Clay tries to take the wandering girl into the hotel he stay at but she runs away.

But he lingered a moment longer on the side-walk, looking after the girl.
"Go On," Tom said quietly. "Nothing to be done."
And he was right. Nothing to be done. That was the exact hell of it. He followed Tom in, and the desk clerk once more double-locked the Avenue Inn behind them, as if that were all it would take to keep them from the chaos of the streets.
<From "CELL" by Stephen King>
I'd like to know what "That was the exact hell of it" means here.
And I'd like to know if "in" modifies "Tom."
Thank you in advance for your help.

Teechr · Accepted Answer

park sang joonThat was the exact **** of it.

That was why it was such a horrible problem.

park sang joonHe followed Tom in

He followed Tom in(to) the hotel.

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you, teechr, for your so helpful answer.

I was also wondering what "of it" means in "That was the exact **** of it."

Teechr · Answer

It refers to the situation.

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you, teechr, for your continuing to answer.

I'm so sorry but I'd like to ask you one more thing.
I'd like to know if "of it" is an adverbial phrase modifying the clause.

Teechr · Answer

You could look at it that way.

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