My guess is that Auster creatively chose for Archie 2 to die at the age of 13 just to illustrate how random and indiscriminate death can be, in our lives. The fact that it happens due to the young teen's own recklessness (which could have easily been avoided) just makes it all the more tragic.

I admire you for reading eBooks via Kindle. I'm Old School -- I gotta have the paperback or hardcover directly in my hands!