Ellie's heart sinks, but she nods -- she's seen so many of these. Young soldiers, struggling to do what they must, grappling with the violence and their fear before they lean into it.

Anger keeps Ellie safe, more than anything else. Fear does the rest.

"Had he ever killed before?" Ellie asks- because she knows knives are personal, so personal. Killing someone with a blade isn't like pulling a trigger.