--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As Val jumped down onto the litter-strewn…" description: "\"As Val jumped down onto the litter-strewn concrete after them, she thought how insane it was to follow two people she didn't know into the bowels of th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aeb/holly-black-329_being-afraid_as-val-jumped-down-onto-the-litter-strew_2547958.png" --- # As Val jumped down onto the litter-strewn concrete after… ![“As Val jumped down onto the litter-strewn concrete after them, she thought how insane it was to follow two people she didn't know into the bowels of the subway, but instead of being afraid, she felt glad. She would make all her own decisions now, even if they were ruinous ones. It was the same…” quote by Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aeb/holly-black-329_being-afraid_as-val-jumped-down-onto-the-litter-strew_2547958.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aeb/holly-black-329_being-afraid_as-val-jumped-down-onto-the-litter-strew_2547958.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aeb/holly-black-329_being-afraid_as-val-jumped-down-onto-the-litter-strew_2547958.png) > “As Val jumped down onto the litter-strewn concrete after them, she thought how insane it was to follow two people she didn't know into the bowels of the subway, but instead of being afraid, she felt glad. She would make all her own decisions now, even if they were ruinous ones. It was the same pleasurable feeling as tearing a piece of paper into tiny, tiny pieces.” [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She embraces reckless independence, finding joy in making her own choices despite danger. **In simple terms:** She feels happy choosing her own risky path. Key Takeaway Embrace autonomy, even when risky. Themes independence risk empowerment Mood excited defiant Type narrative character When to use this quote - exploring unknown places - making bold decisions - personal growth - adventure Key Concepts self-determination thrill seeking Questions to Reflect On - What drives you to seek danger? - How do you balance thrill and safety? A Different Perspective Risk can lead to harmful outcomes if unchecked. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-afraid/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [There's incredible effect in being either loved or hated, but knowing that, either way, you have penetrated the mind and have altered it; that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-winding-refn/there-s-incredible-effect-in-being-either-loved-or-hated-but-knowing/) [Nicolas Winding Refn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-winding-refn/) > [Sometimes I felt glad not to be too close to people. I might have been happier, I suppose. 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I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/what-they-don-t-realize-is-this-yes-they-frighten-me-but-i-have/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [When you don't know what you're searching for, you have to look absolutely everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/when-you-don-t-know-what-you-re-searching-for-you-have-to-look/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Madoc makes a snorting sound, then turns to me. 'I am sure that Wren here wouldn't mind taking Lady Nore's castle and lands for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/madoc-makes-a-snorting-sound-then-turns-to-me-i-am-sure-that-wren/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [That’s family for you. 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She winced. He didn't seem to mind; in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/so-what-are-you-really-wearing-the-words-left-her-mouth-before-she/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I grab a chair. "I don't mean to pry," I say, "but we're in a hospital. You sure you're fine?" She sighs heavily. "No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-grab-a-chair-i-don-t-mean-to-pry-i-say-but-we-re-in-a-hospital-you/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [Kaye: You know what the sun looks like? Janet: No, What? Kaye: Like he slit his wrists in a bathtub and the blood is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/kaye-you-know-what-the-sun-looks-like-janet-no-what-kaye-like-he-slit/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“That was how she felt, right then. As if there was too much of her, as if her skin was tight with muchness. 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