If you were closer, I'd slap you," she said. "Let me help," I replied, and stepped closer. She promptly slapped me, which surprised me only a little. We glared at each other in the near dark, and then she looked away. "I'm sorry I slapped you," she said. "That's all right. I quite enjoyed it.

But chance runs like a river through all our lives, and being prepared for surprise is the best we can do.

If anyone comes near you, just scream and run.

The preface? Why would he waste time with the preface? Skip the preface and move on to the meat of the thing!

I turned around and headed back to the stairwell, planning to go downstairs and buy a chocolate bar from the vending machine. Maybe it would fall on me and end my misery.

It's somewhat disquieting that the same parents and educators who are horrified by the notion of child soldiers have bestowed upon 'The Hunger Games' a double mantle of critical praise and global bestsellerdom.

You're like something drawn with the sun's fire, and I can take only little glimpses of you.