I am growing stronger. I am a stone being excavated by the slow passage of water; I am wood charred by a fire.

I’m sorry,” he repeats again, too low for Raven and Tack to hear. “I’m sorry for everything.

Alex loved books. He was the one who first introduced me to poetry. That's another reason I can't read anymore.

Yeah, but our choices are limited. We choose from a list that they chose for us." She said. "Well, Choices are supposed to be limited. That's life" I snapped

It occurs to me that for a long time she has been doing her own version of resisting.

It is war now, and armies need symbols.

Maybe, the hope said. Maybe.