The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents

"Malicia, do you understand? This isn't a story," said Keith, as patiently as he could. "That's what I'm trying to tell you. Real life isn't a story. There isn't some kind of... of magic that keeps you safe and makes crooks look the other way and not hit you too hard and tie you up next to a handy knife and not kill you. Do you understand?"

--The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, Terry Pratchett