I don't believe in fate," he said carefully, "but... I do believe everything happens for a reason. That there is some plan, some meaning to this darkness we live in.

As cities grow and technology takes over the world, belief and imagination fade away, and so do we.

The mighty hunter," I quipped as we snuck out the backdoor, escaping into the yard. "He can take down vicious rabids and rampaging boars, but one old lady can make him flee in terror.""One scary old lady," he corrected me, looking relieved to be out of the house. "You didn't hear what she told me when I got up - you're so cute I could put you in a pie. Tell me that's not the creepiest thing you've ever heard." His voice climbed a few octaves, turning shrill and breathy. "Today for dessert, we have apple pie, blueberry pie and Ezekiel pie.

Be careful, boy. In some tales, the hero gets eaten by the monster after all .

Overall, Id say I was an awesome bookseller, but probably not the best book shelver. I loved recommending books and helping people find books.

Fear was the knowledge of pain, the awareness that you could be hurt, that you could die.

I get up, get coffee, and go into my home office. I check email and Twitter before I start work, but I have to try not to get too distracted.