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 didn't need his criticism. I carried enough guilt on my own. I had done everything wrong. I had the highest marks in school but couldn't master common sense.

The soldier stared at Ingrid. His silence was elastic, slowly curling a rope around her neck.

Revolting. If women were so careless to become pregnant at such a time, let women sort it out.

But unlike Mama, I would not go to heaven. My secrets padlocked the gates. I'd be a torn kite stuck in the dead branches of a tree, unable to fly.

War is catastrophe. It breaks families in irretrievable pieces. But those who are gone are not necessarily lost.

How foolish to believe we are more powerful than the sea or the sky.

It's safer for you to stay with the others,' he said.Safer? He didn't realize.I was already dead.

No Son [. . .] Not a traitor to your country. Much worse. A traitor to your soul.

My arm began moving, turning the invisible crank of Death's music box. Somewhere inside, I didn't want the melody to end.

He wanted to know something about me. I leaned over and put my mouth to his ear. It was barely a whisper.'I'm a murderer.

Perhaps tomorrow I would actually put pen to paper.