[ She bites down on her lip, very hard. He's not getting it. There's something that isn't... ]

I've had a miserable life, Atem.

[ Her mouth feels dry as she admits this. ]

I don't... I'm not even talking about all the things I did, I'm talking about all the things that happened. I had to get interdimensionally kidnapped to find any kind of family that even liked me. It...messes you up. A lot.

[ She's not looking at him. Just straight ahead, as...she tries to put some distance between them and the orphanage. ]

So. Yeah. If they're like me... If they've felt the things I've felt, I don't...want that for them.