[ ... It seems everyone here is like a hidden library of awful stories, doesn't it? At that, Lightning makes a sort of surprised, pained sound in her throat, but then goes silent as well as she considers that, horrible as it is. ]

Maybe you're right, I don't know. I tried to think things through, but... [ Another pause as she thinks, her head down and hands lacing together in front of her, not even trying to hide her uncertainty now- she's tough, yeah, but she also knows now how much posturing can actually hurt more if you're not careful. And it's hard to stop talking once she's started. ] I don't think I was ready to accept what might happen, even then... and so when it happened, it took three other people to take care of me- people I hardly even know. They could have been hurt or killed if they hadn't already known what they were doing.

... Maybe I should have told someone else, too. [ A breath. ] I should have told you before I did. I'm sorry.