This tiny moment. In between the time you decide to pull a trigger and the time death arrives. There’s just you and it and everything you’re about to take away. It’s too big. It goes forever.

Our past makes us what we are.” “No,” I tell him, remembering the weight lifting from my shoulders as I let go of my mom and dad. “No, it doesn’t. We choose who we are. Every day. Every minute. The past is gone. Tomorrow is worth a million yesterdays, don’t you see?

I’m told bravado is impressive under certain circumstances, but I’ve yet to find them.

Am i not merciful.

I figure there’s no harm in making a little light for ourselves, here in the dark.

Why not believe, Syra? If in faith you risk nothing, but through faithlessness, you risk everything?

I can see it in his eyes. All those years of military training, all those years of yessir, no sir, may I have another, sir. You don’t get to be top Alpha in the academy by rocking the boat. You don’t get to be the Goldenboy by not following orders.

She’s gazing down at me, Stone-faced Chase, absolutely unforgiving, soot and ashes streaking her face like war paint.

Follow your heart. It’s simple advice. But probably the hardest to follow. It’s always easier to do the expected thing than the right thing.

Forget everything else. Forget everyone else. You’re exactly my kind of girl.