Lightning

by Dean Koontz

One of the greatest sorrows of human existence is that some people aren’t happy merely to be alive but find their happiness only in the misery of others.

real courage was something I’d seen none of in my own world of strutting, uniformed fanatics. They committed atrocities in the name of the people and called that courage. They were willing to die for a twisted totalitarian ideal, and they called that courage when it was really stupidity, insanity. And I fell in love with your dignity, for I had none of my own, no self-respect like that I saw shining in you.

“I’ve learned the third great lesson, that’s all. As a kid I learned to endure. After Danny was killed, I learned to fight. Now I’m still an endurer and a fighter—but I’ve also learned to accept. Fate is.”