❝ i know it’s just ❞ a million thoughts run through her brain, all of the too harsh to say, but there is so much anger inside her, welling up, she’s terrified to speak. she swallows, trying to push down the anger. doesn’t nikki understand that it’s not her job to protect her mother? she can’t tamper down on her temper much and the words come spilling out, harsh but hopefully less harsh sounding then they sound in her head, ❝ you could’ve gotten injured. you could’ve died. nikki, it’s my job to protect you, if you were to get injured or died because you were protecting me, i’ve failed in my job as your parent. ❞ she pauses again, looking down. ❝ i could’ve lost you sweetie, i don’t think i can deal if i do. ❞