but not everyone truly wants to know for sure what happens when we die. I don’t want to know, but there is one thing I’m sure of: I never want to be a ghost. I want an afterlife that is nothing like what I have now.

but elves and humans do look similar. Sure, some elves have green hair and some humans have dark skin, but the main difference is that elves have pointed ears and humans have round ones.

for my father, mother, or grandparents. The moment I dropped from the top of my class, a shadow fell over me. The favored hobby among my family became strategizing over how I would regain first rank in school.

from among the spread of antiques. For a moment, Beryl forgot her task and she picked up the old shield, without thinking, only to have it snatched from her hands. The room fell silent. The group of dwarven historians looked up at the giant who now held the shield—he was clearly offended.

“I didn’t say you could touch it yet!” snapped the giant, who was already reluctant to show the antiques.

but this is my last one. We’ve been pen pals for years, but in all fairness, I might be the only person she can write to. I’ve only met her in person once, when she was fleeing from some power-hungry aunt or uncle. We were young back then, and neither of us really understood the situation.

two vampires discuss which bottle of blood to order with their dinner. Music can be heard from downstairs, and a distant drum seems to annoy one of the vampire's sensitive hearing; the one with black hair. The white-haired vampire seems much more interested in discussing what to drink than the other.