And then their voices stopped and their souls stood still and they ceased being who they had been. Because who they were had always been determined by him.

One day" came. Because finally I understood.

A piece of me is gone," she told me once while we were bra shopping. "I think we're made up of all these different pieces and every time someone goes, you're left with less of yourself.

Someone asked us later, "Didn't you wonder why no one came across you sooner?" Did I wonder? When you see your parents zipped up in black body bags on the Jellicoe Road like they're some kind of garbage, don't you know? Wonder dies.

You just have to belong. Long to be.

We look at each other for a moment and for once I feel awkward. It's not that I'm not into humility; I've just never had to practise it.

This is war," he say quietly. "Well thank God you're dressed for it, Griggs.