For the first time I could remember, I felt weak, woozy and stupid— like a human-being. Like a very small and helpless human-being.

Of course it was a terrible thing, and the world would be a much better place without someone in it who could do that, but did that mean we had to miss lunch?

...my conscience has the same hard reality as a unicorn.

They like to tell us that it is important to speak the truth, but it has been my experience that real happiness lies in having people tell you what you want to believe, usually not the same thing at all, and if you have to stub your toe on the truth later, so be it.

Detective, I don't know where the boyfriend is, really," I said. And it was true, considering tide, current, and the habits of marine scavengers. -Dexter

It revealed a cruelty that really made one wonder if the universe was such a good idea after all.

In its own way the kiss had been an act of murder.