Sublime

Whiplash girlchild in the dark

“No one ever notices Sydelle Pulaski,” she muttered, “but now they will. Now they will.”

eyes—it was like a creature about to spring.

One can’t ask to be left alone, she thought, or not to be touched, even once in a great while, without creating a scene—without changing everything.

And if I am able, even briefly, to give you a Wilkes’-eye-view of the world—if I can make you understand her madness—then perhaps I can make her someone you sympathize with or even identify with. The result? She’s more frightening than ever, because she’s close to

anomie

“Too bad he’s cried wolf for so long,” Jacaranda said. “People could feel heartfelt sympathy for him instead of just dried-up old sympathy.” “Poor Jack.” Shelby sighed, his sympathy all dried up, too.

“William Sorley.”