Eena, The Dawn and Rescue Quotes

“Life is a valuable and unique opportunity
to discover who you are.
But it seems as soon as you near
answering that age-old question,
something unexpected always happens
to alter your course.
And who it is you thought you were
suddenly changes.

Then comes the frustrating realization
that no matter how long life endures,
no matter how many experiences
are muddled through in this existence,
you may never really be able
to answer the question....

Who am I?

Because the answer, like the seasons,
constantly, subtly, inevitably changes.
And who it is you are today
is not the same person you will be tomorrow.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue

“You can capture this body of mine,
take away my freedom and enslave me.
You may even have the power to capture my soul
and sentence me to the realm of eternal darkness.
But my dreams you cannot touch.
They are my will—the very essence of who I am.
In them I laugh. In them I cry. In them I love.
And in them… I live.
My dreams are untouchable and unceasing.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue

“I understand it was Derian who spoiled everything. He purposefully tainted your view of me and forced you to go along with him. I know none of what happened was your idea or your desire, Eena.”

She didn’t bother getting up, but spoke from her curled position. Her voice was weak, still heavy with despair. “Derian didn’t force me to do anything.”

“But had he not influenced you, we would be enjoying a pleasant dinner again, telling stories and laughing. I’m sure that would be the case. You would be happy… and so would I.”

Eena chuckled briefly without amusement.

“You must admit we shared some enjoyable evenings, didn’t we? There’s really no reason we can’t put this whole mess behind us and start from where we left off.” He sounded genuinely serious.

“You forget,” she reminded him, “I overheard your conversation with the Ghengats. This isn’t about Derian, it’s about you.”

“Alright,” he admitted, sighing a sound of acquiescence, “so I’m not everything you’d hoped for. But really, what man can ever live up to a woman’s terribly high expectations?”

This got her attention. She almost stood up to face him, but decided it wasn’t worth the effort. Leaning forward, she retorted, “Expecting a man to respect you, to be honest with you, and, oh yes, to not be a shameless murderer—I don’t think those are overly high expectations!”

He shrugged, casually excusing his faults. “Nobody’s perfect.”

“What do you want?” she finally asked with exasperation.

He squatted to her level to state his desire. “I want you.”

The expression on his face—the look in his weary blue eyes—appeared strangely sincere. But there was one thing Eena had learned from all of this: never trust a master of deceit.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue

“The calling that has been thrust upon you is likewise as demanding and daunting. I understand how you feel, believe me. But we need you, Eena. I would say I’m sorry, but… honestly, I’d have no other woman take your place. You are exactly what we need. And yes, it does require a great deal of sacrifice, but you don’t have to bear these burdens alone. We are all here to help you. And believe me there isn’t one of us who wouldn’t give his last breath to defend yours so you might go on to heal Harrowbeth. Don’t block us out. Don’t think you have to stand alone. Please wake up and know that I understand. And I promise I won’t say ‘I told you so.’”

The room fell quiet. Eena didn’t move. Derian could see how her breathing continued smoothly in and out just as before.

“I’ll give you some chocolate if you wake up.” It was a last-ditch effort. “I’ve got plenty of it, and I don’t care for the stuff.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue

“The woman laughed again. She was the loudest person in the cave. Eena wondered if perhaps she was talking to a female Ghengat. Curiosity got the best of her and she turned to look, surprised to find neither a Ghengat nor a Harrowbethian woman, but a Mishmorat. A striking, cheetah-spotted Mishmorat with straight lengths of charcoal hair and the most alluring dark eyes in existence. This bronzed female was the same height as Eena but observably more muscular. She resembled a mix of cheetah, Arabian princess, and gladiator in tight-fitting pants. Eena paused, dropping the stone in her hands.

“Kira?” she breathed.

“Hmmm,” the woman grumbled. Her painted eyes scrunched with displeasure. The look was still stunning. “I see my reputation precedes me.”

Eena gawked as if a fabled ghost had been resurrected. “You’re alive?”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue

“Sevenah resumed staring up at the darkness. The sun had set entirely, giving way for the appearance of a speckled night’s sky. It seemed the more she stared, the greater the number of stars. She pondered the immensity of the universe and how it resembled an artist’s black canvas peppered with a haphazard splattering of white paint.

“I think there probably is life out there a lot like our own. I can’t imagine so many suns—so many planets—and not at least one of them being something like ours.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue

“The instant the rear door slid open, a monstrous-looking furball sprang out and jumped up on the captain’s chest. On hind legs the animal stood near identical to the man’s height. One sniff at the air turned the creature’s attention to Sevenah. The beast went right after her, bounding to the table on lion-like paws. She screamed and scrambled to the top of her chair.

The animal had a body shaped something like an earthly buffalo—a bulky chest, heavily-hunched shoulders, a thick neck—but on a smaller scale. The frightened girl screamed again, climbing onto the tabletop just as the hairy creature perched its front paws on her empty chair. It stretched its neck to examine her.

With nose in the air, it made a loud, awful howl. “Hhhrrroowwww!”

Dark eyes as big as saucers stared up from a face that was nothing but a thick mass of fur. The same long hair draped over the creature’s entire body, patched in browns and ivory with shadows of black and maroon. From the top of its head protruded two tiny horns positioned behind ears that spiked rigid with every curious sound. An oversized mouth spanned the width of its face, baring a lion's share of sharp teeth. The creature howled once again and then scrambled after its target, following her right onto the table.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue

“It was adrenaline that took over, giving her the ability to continue. Her feet automatically obeyed his command, sprinting ahead despite how bleak their hope of escape appeared. There seemed no logic in believing the hill would offer any protection. Surrender looked like the only realistic hope for survival. Even if it was temporary survival.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue

“Nightfall was the best part of everyday life. When the sun began to sink behind a rolling horizon, everything came to a halt. If Ian didn’t ride up the hill with Sevenah and Paka, he would be there waiting when she arrived. There they sat and watched the sunset, a ritual shared faithfully every night, settled side-by-side below the drooping branches of her favorite weeping willow tree. Sometimes they discussed the day. Sometimes they simply stared out at a fiery sky and said nothing at all. Regardless, Ian was always at her side.

Always.

Except for today.

“Where are you, Ian? I could really use you now.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue

“Did you see that?” she chirped. Her eyes glimmered with excitement. “A falling star! Did you make a wish?”

Ian dropped onto his back and looked up. “No—no wishes. I don’t believe in superstitions.”

She laughed. “But aliens you do believe in. You’re so weird.”

“What did you wish for?” he asked, ignoring the playful insult.

She grinned big. “I wished for all your wishes to come true.”

“Really? You wasted a wish on me?”

“Of course. You’re my best friend.” Her hand reached to squeeze his.

“But I thought if you told your wish it wouldn’t come true.”

“I thought you didn’t believe in superstitions.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Eena, The Dawn and Rescue