“Stella scribbledin thick black textaacross half the pagesof my best storybook,filled with people who venturedwhere their hearts took them.Beautiful worlds beyond mine.”

“I walk the city, through its crush of people and its smells:body odour, rotting food, vomit and urine. A cocktail of oppression and freedom.”

“It's not about blood,"says Lucius. "It's about who you shareyour life with.Where you feelyou really belong.”

“i miss my brother likethe sea would miss saltif that were taken away.”

“The telly is invadedby hallelujah channelsand informercials,both trying to selleverything neededto save you.”

“They scribble on notepads,the sound of their pensscratching the judgemental air.”

“I want out of this place.With no reminders."It stings -sulphur tearsin cinnamon rain.”