S.A. Barnes > Quotes

“It sets off a strange sense of dislocation in my brain. Like it can’t be real. Or I’m not. But maybe that’s just because of the dead princess floating in the corner.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“Somehow I suspect that “third time’s a charm” does not apply to narrow escapes from death.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“Silence has a different quality to it when you're the only one left alive. It's thicker. Heavier somehow.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“once you’ve been in a position to watch everyone you’ve ever known die, the light go slowly out of their eyes, transforming them from this magic assemblage of quirks, habits, preferences, and dreams to an inert pile of spent flesh and bone, you realize not only that life is precious but also that death is absolutely inevitable. No matter what you do. The people you love will die one day, and sometimes it happens sooner and faster and more horribly than”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“If you don’t like the answers, ask different questions,”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“Some of us are broken enough that we don’t get to be fixed. And maybe we’re better off that way. Not hiding from the damage like everyone else. Just accepting it and figuring out how to work around it.”
― S.A. Barnes, Ghost Station

“But I make myself push on, keeping my gaze focused ahead. There’s nothing to be gained from looking back.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“Space travel is boring. As a commweb maintenance team, we’re used to it. A boring day is a good day. Boring is what we strive for. When things are exciting, someone is usually about to die in some new and horrible way.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“That’s always the trouble, isn’t it? When you take on one thing outside of your control, suddenly everything is your fault. Nothing is ever enough.”
― S.A. Barnes, Ghost Station

“There is no finish line because she never set one. She just kept moving the tape with every accomplishment, with every attempt, because no one was there telling her she was done. Telling her she was enough.”
― S.A. Barnes, Ghost Station

“His existence has neat edges, sharp lines, with no shadows or uncertainties.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“But I will say this: once you’ve been in a position to watch everyone you’ve ever known die, the light go slowly out of their eyes, transforming them from this magic assemblage of quirks, habits, preferences, and dreams to an inert pile of spent flesh and bone, you realize not only that life is precious but also that death is absolutely inevitable. No matter what you do. The people you love will die one day, and sometimes it happens sooner and faster and more horribly than you could imagine. Sometimes it’s even your fault.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“I’ve been told I have a “cavalier attitude toward mortality.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“I know, I know,” Kane says under his breath. “I’m doing the best I can.” He pauses for a moment. “No, she won’t. I won’t let her.” He is talking to someone who isn’t there. “Kane?” Lourdes asks through her sniffles. “Is she going to be okay?” “I don’t know,” he says. “I need…” He trails off seemingly mid-thought. “I need…” “Well, are you sure this is even the right Claire?” Lourdes asks. “She’s over there, too.” A whisper of fabric against fabric traces her movement as she stands. “Claire. Wait, come back!” We are all going to die.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“69 hours”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“I think if you let the past haunt you, if you can’t accept it, it’s that much harder to make better choices in the future.”
― S.A. Barnes, Ghost Station

“His T-shirt, one of his favorites, reads SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE in big letters, with an arrow pointing down to his crotch. Voller smirks at me, giving me a mock salute.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“do no harm but take no shit.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“That’s Princess Margaretha of Sweden,” Nysus says quietly. The gold faucet on the sink across from her catches my attention, and a pang of ingrained longing hits hard. It’s both smaller and more dramatic in reality. The gold gleams in our helmet lights, the name Aurora carved in dark swirling letters on both sides. It sets off a strange sense of dislocation in my brain. Like it can’t be real. Or I’m not. But maybe that’s just because of the dead princess floating in the corner.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“in the end, I suppose that’s what it comes down to. What you can live with or what you’re willing to die for.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“This is her weakness. To be taken care of. She wants to be respected, needed, but at the same time she's so fucking soft for the slightest display of affection.”
― S.A. Barnes, Ghost Station

“it is unhealthy, obsessive anxiety. Another of my diagnoses? Compulsive need to control. Not others, necessarily. But myself and the situation around me.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“Nothing to be sorry about,” he says. “Some of us are broken enough that we don’t get to be fixed. And maybe we’re better off that way. Not hiding from the damage like everyone else. Just accepting it and figuring out how to work around it. Just like we’re doing. Like you’re doing.” His gaze meets hers and holds it. “It takes guts to face the worst of yourself, the worst of your fears.”
― S.A. Barnes, Ghost Station

“Surviving is nothing to be ashamed of, Claire.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“My whole life I’ve wanted nothing more than to be out here. Away from everyone. That is the beauty of space. There’s nothing out here. Sure, stars, planets, and communication beacons, but no people.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“Genetics are not destiny. Neither is environment. The two together pack a powerful punch, but I have control of my actions. I make choices for myself.”
― S.A. Barnes, Ghost Station

“Sometimes people don't know how to love you the way that they should, even if they're family," he said after a moment. "Especially if they're family. It's not your fault, and it doesn't mean you have to forgive them. But it does help to know that.”
― S.A. Barnes, Cold Eternity

“you have to be trapped on a ship about to explode, best to be trapped with a brilliant and observant—if half-mad—mechanic.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“once you’ve been in a position to watch everyone you’ve ever known die, the light go slowly out of their eyes, transforming them from this magic assemblage of quirks, habits, preferences, and dreams to an inert pile of spent flesh and bone, you realize not only that life is precious but also that death is absolutely inevitable. No matter what you do. The people you love will die one day, and sometimes it happens sooner and faster and more horribly than you could imagine. Sometimes it’s even your fault.”
― S.A. Barnes, Dead Silence

“Which means Ophelia’s family has power over her only because Ophelia continues to give it to them. By keeping that all-important secret”
― S.A. Barnes, Ghost Station