Inside, my soul became so cold I hated everything. I even despised the sun, for I knew I would never be able to play in its warm presence.

I remembered my mother saying that whenever something horrendous happened, a person either died or became stronger.

My heart felt like a hollow drum and I felt myself sway.

Even in its deepest moments, life is full of hope.

I used to dream of a life of leisure and luxury. But it was not to be.

I'm free? the boy asked, his question becoming more a statement of fact than a question

I allowed no one to know about my secret: I was desperate to be rescued

There really is only one thing that other people can't take away from you, he told them, in his heavy stuttered speech. And that's your education.

All I could do was hope for my survival, trust in my instincts, and rely upon my wits.

Time has a way of healing, or so it is said; but I believe it's how we apply that time that helps to heal one's wounds

A Child Called "It" (Dave Pelzer, #1)