Salt to the Sea

by Ruta Sepetys

She did not want to cry. She held her breath in one hand and her suitcase in the other.

We cannot be too cautious, Hannelore. Just because someone knocks on the door doesn’t mean you have to open it. Sometimes, sweet girl, there are wolves at the door. If we are not careful, they might eat us.

I see many who act on instinct, which I believe is wrong. Through instinct we succumb to weakness and emotion. Careful thought and planning, mental construction, is always best.”

This was the type of man who looked at a picture on the wall and instead of admiring the photo, looked at his own reflection in the glass.