Consumed

The nurse stared at him with such shock, it was clearly the first time anyone had not provided her with a safe, supported, emotionally aware and nurturing, micro-aggression-free educational platform.

The strong do not wallow. They move forward.

Sometimes strength rested not in resistance, but in the release of arms against a foe of one’s own creation.

But if you had to have something to live for, it might as well be love, right?

That was the thing about life. Habit and routine made things feel permanent, but that was all an illusion based on the very flimsy foundation of repetition. Change and chaos was a far better bet to put your faith in. At least you would never be surprised when things went tits up.

She looked into the room. So many machines and wires and tubes - a reminder that the human body was an incredible miracle, its countless autonomic functions a gift when they were operating as intended, and a cumbersome nightmare to have to approximate when they were not.

Stop thinking of me as broken or not whole. Put that bullshit down and walk away. It's not doing you any good and it's insulting to me.

If you looked for validation from other people, by definition they could take that away if they chose. The safest path, as always, was to be your own rock, your own harbor, your own shelter. Am I okay? should only ever be answered by the person asking that question.

Strength only exists if it is tested, and I promise you, you are stronger than you know.

I think people who survive need to get to an aha moment,” she said quietly, “where the fog lifts and you realize there are things worth living for and goals worth pursuing. Even if they’re different than what motivated you before.

Her glass was not just half full. It was overflowing with rose-scented denial.

Habit and routine made things feel permanent, but that was all an illusion based on the very flimsy foundation of repetition. Change and chaos was a far better bet to put your faith in.

Tragedy was but a moment. Responsibility for it was forever.

In the midst of chaos and death, a new family had been forged. One that as chosen as opposed to an accident of biology—and for that reason, more abiding and enduring.

This psychology crap? I can guess where you're going with this tantrum, and in the interest of saving time — which seems to be an imperative for you — I would say that what is bullshit to you is a field of disciple that I've got a PhD is and will spend the rest of my life further researching, participating in, and advocating for. So if you're looking to persuade me that there isn't value in what I do, you're pushing water uphill.

Do you really expect me to believe that? Because I don’t. And damn it, you were with me the next night!” She wanted to throw her phone she was so pissed, but she managed to calm herself down. “I have to admit that your success rate speaks for itself. You got me good. Two separate times. I’d give you a trophy, but in my current mood, I’d put it up your ass, and I am not going to jail for felony assault with this year’s Best Lying Sack of Shit award.” “You got this all wrong.

Anne hustled around the desk. “Wait, I’m sorry, I have to be clear here. I’m not fired for bringing him in? I mean, Soot?” “I just told you about a departmental meeting. You think I’d can you in front of the whole team?” “Well, it might be a good way to reinforce—or establish—a no-dogs policy.” Don looked over her shoulder, in Soot’s direction. “If it were a cat, it’d be different. I don’t like cats.” “So . . . I can keep bringing him? During this adjustment period.” “Do you always push the limits?” “Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.

Every one of them who got into turnouts, and took their bodies and their minds into open flames for little money and lots of risk, for strangers, for animals they didn't own, for houses they didn't own, for people they weren't related to … they were all insane. Because this was the other side of the adrenaline rush, the savior complex, the fight. Tragedy was but a moment. Responsibility for it was forever. And eventually, the latter turned you dark on the inside, molding over your emotions, making you toxic and uncleanable even as you looked the same on the outside. For every firefighter she knew who'd been hurt or died on the job, she knew even more who were corpses in their own skin. They didn't tell you about all that when you were in the academy. Good thing, too.