Josh Malerman

to let a problem sit.” He

Tom eases from the window. He

the pitter-patter of their tiny feet as they rush for the food. Today she

she had the mettle to

As if they’re constantly standing outside the cabin door of her mind. Constantly knocking.

Could you let me in for an hour or two?

“You might do all you can to avoid the new world, but it’s going to come knocking, in some form or another, soon enough.”

And it’s important for us thinkers to keep doing what we do best. Waiting for that inevitable death. At peace. And alone.”

Intelligence, Dad told the sisters, is being able to talk your way out of a fight.

it’s okay to be scared, you’ve got to push back while you tremble.

From here on out. In the big world.

He’s not mad.

He’s fearless. He’s fighting back.

He’s allowed.