“You’re a fool.” “This is what has to happen,” Mateo insisted. “My life for hers.” “This isn’t as easy as self-sacrifice, you know.” “Easy? Self-sacrifice. That’s your idea of easy?” Asa took a step closer to Mateo, lest his “mother” overhear. “As heroic as it may be, the mere act of laying down your life for the one you love? Yes, it’s easy. The quicker it is, the easier it is. Virtually anyone would throw themselves in front of a train for their child or lover; many people would do it for a stranger. That impulse—that breathtaking leap out of yourself for someone else—it’s easier than we ever dare imagine. I think if humans truly understood they were capable of that, they couldn’t handle it. They’d never stop wondering why they act like such moronic asses the rest of the time.” Mateo looked confused. “This isn’t about jumping in front of a train.” “No. As I said, that would be easy. Only a flash of pain, certainly messy, but also very, very quick.
