A.C. Gaughen

“You traitorous bitch!" he yelled. "You goddamn liar!"I laughed. "You knew I were a bitch and a liar when you married me, Guy. It's your own damn fault for agreeing to it.”

“Honor, obey?" Gisbourne shouted, grappling with John. "This is what you call being a good wife?"I stopped. "I never said I'd be a good wife, Guy. Just that I'd marry you.”

“Talking one way or another doesn't make you better”

“The joy is is in the written word”

“I know what it is to look at your past, and see nothing more than your mistakes”

“This is the hope, not horror”

“Rob's breath were pushing over my ear, his chest puffing up underneath me. His heart were beating so close to my own that it calmed me for sheer distraction.”

“Rob looked a little shocked. "Don't you look at me like that," I snapped at him. "Just because I can't trim a beard don't mean I can't swear.""Like a sailor," he added. "I've never heard so many curses in my whole life. All combined.”

“Because we always have a choice, even when it feels like we don't.”

“He put his hand to my cheek, just touching the fingertips to my skin before pulling away. "You are.”

“Not only is a book without conflict something no one wants to read, but a life without conflict is something where nothing is gained, nothing is earned, nothing is won.”

“Much were bent over in laughter. I pushed him, and he rolled to the floor without my intended insult. “Come off it!” I stamped my foot.“What’s so funny?” John asked, coming over in the middle of eating an apple. He tossed me an apple and I threw it at Much. He only laughed harder. “K-k-kissed Scar!” he hooted.“Someone kissed you?” John asked, turning to me. He didn’t look like it were too funny. “Who is he?”This made Much laugh more.“None of your business, John Little,” I told him.He stepped closer to me with a flat face that, if I could ape it, I’d never be kissed by a stupid girl when I didn’t want to be. “Who, Scar?”“Jenny Percy!” Much roared.John’s face broke open, like a smile could split a blackmood. “Wait till Rob hears this.”

“Never would I have a man saying what or who were best for me, and that were all there were to it.”

“I’ll keep your heart, Scar,” he whispered. “If you keep mine.”

“I picked up the mop and started washing again as Rob struggled to his feet, red faced. John laughed, and Much covered a smile."You lot think this is funny?" I asked. "I'll unman you too if you wish it."They jumped back, and Rob grunted. "You haven't unmanned me, and I resent the implication of it.""It were a warning blow," I told him, shoving the mop 'cross the floor. "Next time I'll try harder.”

“You have to stay safe, Scar. Maybe it's your bits in a dress and maybe it's just you, but I'm awful fond of something in there. So don't get killed.”

“I do what I do because I will always believe that no matter how awful life gets for however many of these people, there is something I can do about it. There is something I will do about it.”

“He takes the guilt and responsibility that others can't. John takes the punches. I just take the hunger, and most times it feels like awful little.”

“I know what it's like when you can't get no one to listen to you. When what you say don't matter. I half think every girl knows what it's like to be silenced.”

“Of a band with three actual boys, why is it that all the maids lust after the fake one?”

“I wouldn't never bathe with him or pass water when he were near. He got suspicious quick. Seems real boys are awfully eager to parade their bits around.”

“I left little packages in front of the doors; the people looked for them in the morning, and I knew, in some bit of a way, it bucked them up.I did as much as I could, but it weren't like I could get everyone something every night. That seemed like the cruelest part. I tried not to think 'bout the people that woke up and rushed to the door and didn't find nothing; it made my chest hurt.”

“When shall we break into the jail, then?" John asked."Midnight. The guard changes then, and you'll fair certain look less conspicuous in that crowd.""So you think I look like a guard? I'll take that nicely." He took a drink of his beer, his eyes shining at me over the brim.I flicked my eyes over him. "Brutish and stupid? Yes, you look quite like a guard.”

“To me, true love is about finding someone who not only sees and accepts your demons but also is willing to step up and fight them when you stumble.”

“You are my whole heart, Scarlet. And this is breaking it.'My heart cracked open and clear dropped out of me. My mouth opened, and I looked round me and stamped my foot. 'Does this look like a good time to tell me that, you damn stupid boy?' I meant to sound mean but my voice wobbled. 'Now?'He gave a little smile. 'My foul-mouthed warrior.”

“His arms went round my waist. He had a big grin, full of teeth like stars. "You saying you're the jealous sort,Scar?" "I'm saying that some girls slap, but I have knives.”

“We do what we do because there's something we can do about it. Things like 'how long' and 'what if' aren't part of that. It's about the hope, not the horror.”