Destroy, She Said

She belongs to whoever wants her. She feels whatever they feel. Yes

Silence.
“What could have come of it?”
Stein doesn't answer.
“Desire?” Max Thor asks. “And erosion by desire?”
“Yes. By your desire.”
Silence.
“Or death by Alissa,” Stein says

Is it very different?” he asks.
“There's nothing left,” Max Thor says. “So I don't say anything. The students go to sleep

“What do you teach?”
“History,” Max Thor says. “History of the future.”

When it's become part of a timetable, say, you don't notice it,” says Stein. “And if you don't notice it, don't give it a name, it can take some curious turns.”

The only thing that will ever have happened to you . . .” she says.
“Is you,” Elisabeth says. “You, Alissa.”

If you'd loved him, if you'd loved him once, just once in your life, you'd have loved the others

We're alike,” says Alissa. “We'd love Stein if it were possible to love.”

You seem to know a lot of doctors,” Alissa says.
“Yes . . . quite a few . . . They're interesting to talk to.”
“They talk to you about yourself,” Max Thor says

A very affectionate child, really. I expect she'll suffer. But people are bad judges of their own children.”