Hellbent (Orphan X, #3)

by Gregg Hurwitz

“I’m not saying it’s easy. I’m saying it’s worth doing. Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”

When you’re at a wall, start climbing.

Remember that what you do not yet know is more important than what you already know.

Evan said, “I do.” He sat and watched the curve of her shoulder, the tousled hair on her cheek. Her blinks grew languorous. And then her eyes closed. Her breathing grew regular, took on a rasp.

this made me cry - powerful

“You can’t help people more than they want to help themselves.”

“Your mama’s so fat she can’t even fit in the chat room.”

For the first time in his life, he felt the tug as something not unpleasant but precious. Her legs flexed, jogging her back and forth ever so slightly. He held her, rocking her, as she wept. He brushed her hair from his mouth. Cleared his throat. “You’re okay,” he said. “You’re gonna be fine,” he said. “You’re worth it,” he said.

“Your tattoos are designed to elicit fear. You’re probably used to scaring people when you walk down the street, into a store, a restaurant. Because you’ve written right on your face how little you care about how you’re perceived. And that signals that you’re capable of anything. I’m sure you’re used to that working. So look at me. Look at me very closely. And ask yourself: Do I look scared?”

“If you’ve got nothing worth dying for, you’ve got nothing worth living for.”