"In a different part of Washington, in a different world, another would-be killer was playing an equally terrifying game." Prologue, The Game Begins, p. 7

"History was made.
The game of games had begun.
Jack and Jill."
Prologue, The Game Begins, p. 15

"Oh no, it's tomorrow again." Part One, Chap. 1, p. 19

"John Sampson was the noisemaker; he was the trouble in my life; the day's first disturbance, anyway. All six foot nine, two hundred forty pounds of him. Two-John, as he was sometimes called. Man Mountain." Part One, Chap. 1, p. 20

"I didn't want to look, but I had to. I bent down close to Shanelle. I could smell the little girl's blood: copper, like a lot of pennies had been thrown on the ground. I couldn't help thinking about Damon and Jannie, my own kids. I couldn't stop the overwhelming sadness I felt. It ate at me, like acid...