being cut off from the world is still freaking me out just a little . '' id announced my plans to my grandparents the week before . he laughed , dropping his head for an instant before bringing his sly gaze back to mine . go up against for the next election ? `` this end clips to a harness that you wear , since that 's better than squashing you around the middle . '' and then i felt the hands separating us . she would have to be careful not to disturb them . `` the universe is one of careful balance . 