Ashley Nikole Quotes

“I know good things have happened, don't mistake an expression of pain for a lack of thankfulness.”
― Ashley Nikole

“I was walking along one day and smacked into this wall called hope deferred and depression and...grief.
And it wouldn't budge.
After some time, I realized this darkness I'd found myself in was called grief.
I'd been through so much trauma, everything about me- including my body, emotions and soul, was shutting down and going into preservation mode.
I entered a season where the battle caught up with me and I realized just how badly I'd been beaten and torn up, inside and out.”
― Ashley Nikole

“War was hell.
So was Andersonville Prison.
Justice lay curled on her side on the dank, roach-infested floor. She inhaled a short breath, trying to keep from breathing too deeply when waste of all sorts and colours lined every square inch of the place. How had it come to this?”
― Ashley Nikole, Deadeye

“Crying isn't so bad. I mean, I have a sister..." He paused, and she had the distinct impression he was debating whether or not he should elaborate. On what, Ellie wasn't sure.
"And I cry all the time," he said, his voice slightly higher pitched than it usually was.
"You do?" Ellie ventured, her voice sounding muted from crying.
"Well, it's been a while...and by 'a while', I mean about two days,”
― Ashley Nikole, Present History

“Your father's last words were touching."
Elie's breath hitched. "You're lying."
"Why would I do that?" He reached into his vest and withdrew a silver chain. Dropping the piece into Ellie's hand, she realized what is was- her mother's ring, on the chain her dad always wore around his neck.
"Hold your gusto, darlin'," he drawled, breath hot on her neck. "I didn't kill him."
Ellie shook her head, staring at the ring. "How dare you?" she whispered.
Jutting her chin out, Ellie grasped the front of Terrence's shirt. "So help me God, I'll-"
"Making threats are we, now?" His brows raised in mock fear. "You're not in a place to be doing that." Open handed, Terrence shoved straight finger's into Ellie's ribs, sending her to the ground.
Pain zig-zagged through her torso, nearly making her vomit.
Ellie glared up at North as she willed the air back into her lungs. "I will never stop fighting," she wheezed as the room drifted out of focus then back again.
Terrence crouched next to her. "Just remember lover-boy the next time you think about getting in my way.”
― Ashley Nikole, Present History

“How was your sleep?" Ellie asked as she poked tiny holes into the dirt with her index finger.
When Jonathan didn't reply, Ellie glanced up and saw his haunted expression. That he was lost in a pocket of evil memories, was evident.”
― Ashley Nikole, Present History

“Sarah was Ethan's dear little sister." He made a clicking noise with his tongue. "Poor woman." There was something akin to anguish in his voice. "I will always regret her."
Ellie grimaced in disgust "'Was'? Are you saying she's dead?"
Terrence nodded, and in the dark, her eyes were finally beginning to adjust so she could better see him. The sadness in his features spoke volumes.
So, he had one human bone in his body. He wasn't ALL divisive and wicked.
Too bad that didn't matter a load of poo to Ellie.”
― Ashley Nikole, Present History

“Ebony!" The shout was desperate as the look on the man's face.
She looked down, only to realize she hung off a ledge, no landing in sight. Fire glowed from every tree and blade of grass around her.
"Don't you let go," he pleaded.
"I can't reach--" she strained harder, but the ledge collapsed beneath her grasp.
"Don't let--"
"No!" Her fingers slipped, then she plunged into the darkness.”
― Ashley Nikole, Phantom's Daughter

“Pulling the threadbare sheet over her shoulder, she rolled onto her side away from him. Cries, deep and gun-wrenching built in her chest, threatening to steal away what air was left in her lungs.
She didn't care that Bucket Man sat a foot away, witnessing her lose what grip she had left on reality.
She had nothing.
Her memory was gone and she was already half dead. Her only friend was agony, and she was the daughter of a monster.”
― Ashley Nikole, Phantom's Daughter

“Even the bruising couldn't disguise the strength of his features. His jaw, cheekbones, nose and--even his forehead--nothing was lacking in confidence about him--in the looks or personality department.

What she wouldn't give to have his confidence. And absolution of guilt.”
― Ashley Nikole, Phantom's Daughter

“His chest rose and fell, his face oddly peaceful in sleep.
It was strange, having the bane of her existence, keeping watch over her while she slept--and not in a jail cell.”
― Ashley Nikole, Phantom's Daughter

“Ethan grabbed Alijah's shirtfront and hauled him out back of the house.
"I don't need a lecture from--"
"Oh yes, you do." Ethan gave him a helpful push down the remaining stairs, not a bit remorseful for making him lose his footing. But the sap recovered in time. Blast it all--Ethan truly wanted to rearrange the man's face.”
― Ashley Nikole, Phantom's Daughter

“Her life was a mess.
One big, fat, disgusting mess. An alluvion if there ever was one.
It would have been fitting for the world to have begun shouting "gardyloo", the day she was born.”
― Ashley Nikole, Phantom's Daughter