Dear God, help me. Do not forget me on this tiny cinder lost in a galaxy that is lost–a heart no bigger than a speck of dust beating, beating against death, against meaninglessness, against guilt, against sorrow.

But just remember, life without me would be even more unbearable.

I grabbed her ankle and kissed it, and when I looked up I saw her chin and her eyelashes as she threw back her head and laughed.

I never changed after that. I sought for nothing in the one great source of change which is humanity. And even in my love and absorption with the beauty of the world, I sought to learn nothing that could be given back to humanity. I drank of the beauty of the world as a vampire drinks. I was satisfied. I was filled to the brim. But I was dead. And I was changeless.

Oh, the lies that I have told myself and others. I knew it yet I didn't know.

Heaven would be Hell in no time if every cruel, selfish, vicious soul went to Heaven.

Do we have to confess our loves to everyone?" asked Thorne softly. "Can we not keep some secrets?