How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Much of his life is spent traveling, investigating stories all over the world. Most of the time he's on his own, and sometimes the trips he has to make are hard, dangerous even. With no one waiting for him at home, not even any truly lifelong friends, he often feels like a ghost, drifting over the face of the earth, rootless. If he died, it would be weeks before anyone even knew, let alone cared. Just for once, his journey has taken him somewhere lovely, somewhere warm, and beautiful. He starts laughing. (1.7.6)
Aw… That's kind of sad. Eric doesn't have any real connections to anyone. But now that's he's reached the end of his journey, he'll finally find out why that is. He's always felt like a wanderer, but he's exactly where he's supposed to be.
Quote #5
She whispers, just loud enough to be heard over the shushing of the waves.
"I followed you."
Eric hesitates for a moment, wondering, but then he's laughing, and Merle is, too. (1.10.23-25)
This is a call back (well, a call ahead actually) to the start of their journey. Merle has agreed to follow Eric over seven different lifetimes and here they are swimming in the sea like a couple of crazy kids in love—just like they did back in the old days.
Quote #6
"I just can't reach him. Not how a mother should. He goes away from me, as if he's on a journey somewhere, somewhere I can't follow. Seeing things I can't see. I can't explain."
She breaks off, then tries once more.
"It's like loving someone from another world." (2.7.49-51)
Merle says this about her son, Eric. Because Eric is developmentally disabled, folks usually think he's a little bit slow. But Merle kind of hits the nail on the head: Eric actually sees more clearly than anyone what his place is in this world and where he is on his journey.