“Most people can’t stomach silence; it provides too much opportunity to think about things they prefer to avoid.”

“Most people weren’t aware enough to fear the things that could really hurt them.”

“Caring too much could be dangerous; I saw that now. But the alternative was no better.”

“Here in the enclave, one didn't prosper by demonstrating too much independent thought.”

“Is that love? It seems like a pale word, too easily tossed about by people who don’t know the meaning of it, who twist it for their own ends. I’m afraid of it now, right up there with clowns, close spaces, and open flames.”

“In the enclave, the strong and the physically perfect survived, but if you were strong, you protected the weak until they had an opportunity to grow into their own power.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen your handwriting before. It’s an oddly personal thing, isn’t it?”