[Anyone else, she'd dodge the question. But he's not anybody else, and so-- deep breath, Ellie.]

Yeah. It... my girlfr-- Riley. Riley was alive, and it was me and her going on the big trip to get to the Fireflies. Uh-- anti-government rogue military group, the only other people who had the resources to try and do something with my whole. [she gestures vaguely at her arm. it's always covered, but he's seen the scars.] thing.

[The trip was harder than it was (would have been?) with Joel. Two teenage girls alone in the wilderness? They got tough fast. They had to. But when it was good... fuck, it was so good--]

I never met Joel. Never-- [a huff.] -- you know, with the cannibal fucks that tried to eat me.