Fear is not the answer, not ever.

It was like meeting someone out of your dreams, or fantasies, or a beloved character from a favorite book.

Excuse me? I'm alive too.

It's always refreshing to meet someone crazier than us," I said. "We seem so normal afterward.

All genders?' whispered Nudge. 'Aren't there just the two' I shrugged. 'No idea. Maybe they've created others.

Did I want a dog? No. Did I need a dog? Also no. We were six kids running for our lives, not knowing where our next meal was coming from. Could we afford to feed a dog? Wait for it—no.

And now I was trying to brush my hair,you know,when I thought about it,and looking at myself in mirrors,wondering if I was pretty.Pretty! A year ago,when my haair got in my eyes I hacked it off with a knife.The only thing important about my clothes was whether they were to stiff to move fast in battle. And Fang had been my best friend and an excellent fighter.