who once had dreams of saving the world, now laughs at anyone who tries.

Things will get worse before they get better.

She's been conned, ruined, left for dead, and she's not going to forgive any of it. She will soldier on, if only out of spite.

I miss something I never even had.

I don't dare touch her. Loss is a knowledge I'm sorry to have. Perhaps the only thing worse than experiencing it, is watching it replay anew in someone else--all the awful stages picking up like a chorus that has to be sung.

Don't you miss it?" I say. "Being free." He laughs.

I always knew I was an excellent liar; I just didn't know that I had it in me to fool myself.