“The darkness was memory.”

“Going after someone unknown in the dark and cold and almost-snow - that wasn't brave. That was exceedingly stupid.”

“He held on to me like I was a rock, the only thing keeping him from drifting out with the tide of dark memories.It was the first time I realized he need me too.”

“I hate being a teenager.""Why?""Hormones." With a sad half smile, he left.”

“Shrikes were songbirds; he ought to know.”

“I'd be afraid of what would happen after. Where would I go? What would I do? I don´t want to stop existing. (...) That's probably the most frightening thing I can imagine.”

“Before I had a chance to feel too sorry for myself, I turned toward the front of the cabin and found the bookcases carved right into the wall. Hundreds of leather-bound volumes rested in dim alcoves. I had no idea what stories or information they held. It didn’t matter. I wanted to absorb anything they had to say.”