"'Course I do," he says, still in that quiet tone. "Everything you told me before... of your dad or strangers... If they had something to do, you would do it, even if you felt like you were being used. Even if it's just the thought right now, you're thinking, 'no'. You see where the path leads, and you don't want it to happen."

He drops his hand, offers a small smile. "...And I hope you don't think I'm like that. I'm not trying to use or manipulate you."