Somewhere Beyond the Sea (Cerulean Chronicles, #2)

by T.J. Klune

The laws that must be repealed to make way for a world where anyone and everyone has a chance to be free to do with their lives what they wish.”

The ripples would bounce off each other, spreading in new directions, growing as more people toss their stones in. And if we keep on doing it, who knows how far the ripples could reach in the end?” Sal nodded. “We keep on throwing stones until someone listens.”

“But I believe the greatest weapon we have at our disposal is our voices. And I am going to use my voice for you, and for me. Hate is loud. We are louder.”

“And we have to try because if we don’t, no one else will.”

“Let them listen to what joy sounds like. Maybe they’ll learn a thing or two.”

“When we live in fear, it controls us. Every decision we make is smothered by it.

“It’s the government. What do you expect? Transparency is a fanciful lie they tell constituents to distract them from the truth.

“So everyone in the government is mostly terrible,” Arthur said. “Mostly,” Larmina said.

“That’s the funny thing about those in power. They underestimate everyone beneath them, even knowing their secrets are heard by someone.”

Words matter, yes, but actions matter even more. Anyone can say anything they wish, but it’s the follow-through that’s important.

“To never let them forget that a government built with the idea of helping people only includes those society deems normal.

You are good, Arthur, no matter what form you choose to take.”

Arthur, in the eyes of those who love you, those who know you, you’ve done what you always have: your best.

“Because I’m an adult who does adult things, like taxes and laundry and being sad for no reason.”

If you go into a situation expecting the worst, it may cloud your ability to see what good can come from it.”

Trust, Arthur knew, was a treasure effortlessly stolen, often without rhyme or reason. And this particular treasure was a fragile thing, a piece of thin glass easily broken.

magic existed in many forms, some extraordinary, some simple acts of goodwill and trust, small though they might be.

Why is it that I must always worry about tomorrows?

That’s why free will is important. It gives us the potential to change minds.”

“Because every single day, I see the good in you. I see your kindness, your mischievousness. Your wonder at the world around you. Though we may not always agree, nothing you could do would ever make me stop loving you.”

“It’s hard.” “What is?” “Being alive.”

“But perhaps that’s the point: the trials and tribulations of life weigh heavily upon us, but we find pe...

And what makes it worse is I know DICOMY is trying to do the same: to impose their will upon the populace to get them to fall in line.” “So what do we do?” “We live,” Arthur said. “And if they try and take our children from us?” “Then we fight.”

It’s more that they … bring the better parts of each other out. And it helped Sal find his voice to learn Theodore’s.”

He said it’s okay to not be okay, so long as it doesn’t become all we know.”

“Chaos! Buffets with a never-ending supply of macaroni and cheese! Hellfire!”

I’m of the mind that if you want something badly enough, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.”

believe they do care, but not in any way that benefits the groups affected. They care about themselves. About control. About manipulation in media, in polling, in the spreading of fear until subservience is not only a relief, but a welcome one at that.”

“I’m Chauncey,” the boy-blob said, oozing forward. “Ten years young. I seem to be a mixture of octopus, sea cucumber, and probably a bunch of other miracles.

“Psst. Linus. What kind of babes do I like?” “You can like whoever you want,” Linus said, patting his head. Lucy looked relieved as he ran back to the others. “And by babes, I mean anyone who looks awesome. I don’t know who it’ll be yet, but when I do, you’ll all be the first to know.”

“This is what she wants, Dad.” Dad, Arthur thought through fire.

It’s started, Arthur thought in wonder. Change, the voices of the few building to an unending roar.

“Why do you do that?” David asked, squinting at Arthur. “Do what?” “Apologize when it’s not your fault. You didn’t do anything to me, so why are you apologizing?” “Because someone has to,” Arthur said.

According to her, a good dress always had pockets.

“With hope, little bird. With hope, because hope is the thing with feathers.”

“You’ve been strong your entire life. You’ve had to be. Unfairly. Unjustly. But I think you also believe you’re still alone at times, that you have to shoulder everything on your own. You don’t. You have me. I can help you carry the weight of it. I can be your rock. I can’t do what you lot can, but Lucy once told me there is magic in the ordinary. I must be pretty magical, then, but only because I know when I look over, there you’ll be.

“You have to trust me. Trust us. We may be kids, but we’re your kids, Dad. You made us all believe we could do anything. Now you have to trust us to do that.”

never thought I’d see the day when—” “He’s Dad,” Talia said. “And you’re Papa. We’ve all decided, so you can’t go switching.”

“What does she want?” Arthur hesitated. “What people in power always want: more power.

“Maybe you shouldn’t be the one to decide what is or isn’t offensive to a person in the community you’re denigrating,”

I’m just a little guy!”

“I’d forgotten how much of a bitch you can be when you put your mind to it.” Arthur kissed her hair. “What a lovely thing to say.”

don’t know that I’m quite there yet—and maybe I’ll never be—but that doesn’t mean I can’t try. And I’m going to because you all have taught me how.”

we will no longer hide. We will not stop. We will remake this world into one it should have been: welcome to all.

This, Arthur. This is what you’ve been working towards. This is what you’ve been building. Can’t you see? You have changed minds.”

even the smallest things can change the world, if only one is brave enough to try.

This was hope; the children, love letters to a future that had yet to be decided.