Smile to hide the darkness of your thoughts.

That was the thought in his head as he went to rouse her from sleep. Not only was she connected to him, she was connected to Cody and Reese too. The intricacies of the web that was Chance’s life enfolded her, and she would always, always be trapped.

And in her life, she found the perfect death, a way to drown out the pain, a way to let go.

Even when I didn’t want to think about it, I did. I didn’t know what that said about me, or maybe I didn’t like what it suggested. Either way, it had left me with the thought that human life was both strangely fragile and persistent.

Even if life hadn't been so kind to her, there were things to fight for. Things worth protecting.

This was the girl who made him swoon. Even after everything they had been through, she was the one he killed for. More importantly, she was the one he lived for.

If she opened the closet with her skeletons, they might drag her in with them.

Once a week, I take an art class in the building next door to the church that houses my support group. My favorite coffee shop is right across the street from them both as if that block is dedicated to my mental well-being. Life’s funny like that...

If you always depend on others then you'll never succeed. It's best to learn that lesson now.