Over time, Emerald began trusting him more and more. He indeed proved to her that he meant her no harm, and she warmed up to him. One day, she asked, "Can I talk to you?"
"Of course."
Emerald hesitated, then she finally spoke. "I kept having dreams about this place, and about you. They didn't stop. They drove me crazy. Then, I got depressed, and everything fell apart."
"I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."
"No, it isn't. I've been depressed before, plenty of times."
"Have you seen a psychiatrist about it?"
"No. I've always bounced back. I've always been able to keep my head up."
"You never got any help."
"I didn't need it."
"Do you still think that?"
Emerald paused. She looked back on everything that had happened. Finally, she said, quietly, "No, I guess not."
"You've held all of this in for a long time, haven't you?"
The young woman nodded, looking down.
"I know how you feel."
"You do?"
"Yes. I've felt like everything was hopeless, that my life meant nothing. I began learning skills to keep myself busy. I've never had a friend. Now, here I am. You are the only other person that has been here."
"That sucks."
"We have more in common than either of us have ever thought."
"Yeah..."
"I apologize for all of the things I have done to you. It was unacceptable, and I scared you. I'm deeply sorry."
"It's okay now. You've proven that you don't want to hurt me."
"I'm glad you trust me more. I'll do everything I can for you. I promise."
