[Something about this man makes her not want to lie to him. She thinks he’d be able to tell. But how to start? She still barely believes it herself. Though if anyone would believe a story like this, she supposes it would be someone with centuries of life experience. Maybe it’s worth a try. Or maybe she just misses talking to people who understand.

Outside, the steady pounding of the rain against the walls reminds her how far she is from home.]

This might sound unbelievable, but the world almost ended. We lost so many people, and were barely able to stop it. My…father wanted to keep us away from the danger. We refused. I couldn’t let my friends face it alone.

[Her hands curl into fists as she remembers how close they were to failure. How close her dearest friend was to never coming back. She would never have forgiven them, or herself.]