[The yowling in the background cracked through Angel's icy demeanor. Her expression shifted, becoming one of intense distress. Beneath her breast, her heart began to pound, while her fingers clenched against her palms.]

[Stay strong, she urged herself. You have to stay strong.]

There are good people too, Jack. Athena and Janey are keeping me safe. They had no reason to do so, but they're doing it. A-and I've met so many more people outside of them.

I know there are bad people out there. But you have to understand... None of them could have hurt me in the way you have. And I will take a thousand beatings, or whatever else they throw at me, if it means that I can finally be away from you.

[She braced herself, waiting for the next violent outburst, and hoping that whatever creature that had been caught in the crossfire had the sense to escape while it could.]