The Stolen Heir

She woke only when she felt claws touch her ankle. Before she could get out the first scream, fingers covered her mouth. Before she could get out the first kick, her legs were pinned.

Fear is not love, but it can appear much the same.

So too, power.

“No time like the present.”

“Sometimes life gives us the terrible gift of our own wishes come true.”

conflicts seem as though they are between beliefs or desires.

Hating requires going on, even when you can no longer believe in any better future.

Just because a pawn is better treated doesn’t make it safer on the board.

This is the problem with living by instinct. I don’t think.

word games like this one, where there is no right answer and every wrong answer leads to punishment.

Movement draws the eye of the predator. The instinct to chase.