“Alcohol poisoned the mind, exaggerated the emotions”

“But it seems there is more than one way to poison a person's heart, and it doesn't require a meal.”

“Poisoned, pursued and living with a psychopath. Not what I would consider the good life. Death has its perks.”

“You have slipped under my skin, invaded my blood, and seized my heart. You have poisoned me.”

“followed a step behind. My thoughts churned as my emotions seesawed”

“Learning just for the sake of learning was frowned on, and greeted with suspicion”

“I needed to sit down. I'd heard other people talk about having to sit down when shocked by an event or revelation and I had dismissed the notion as pure exaggeration. Little did I realize the actual physical weakness. It felt as if my bones had dissolved and my muscles could no longer support my weight.”