“A woman's spirit blossoms in the colors of her soul.”

“A rhinestone skein, a jeweled brocade of light,–the city is a garment stretched so thinher festive colors bleed into the night.”

“Whether written in the stars of the pages of a journal, a dream still blossoms from the heart of the person who possesses the pen.”

“Fangs sank into Nikki Youngblood’s leg, setting her skin on fire. A scream gurgled in her throat, but she willed herself past trees smeared by her jarred vision”

“And love is for victims." She shoved her helmet onto her head. "And like you said, I don't have that luxury anymore.”

“Mom always says you can solve most problems at the library, and there's a lady there who's my friend. We could ask her about helping Bernice. She has to answer people's questions. It's her job.”

“Trust is for the weak [...] and love is for victims.”