[ He sees her nervousness, and can guess its cause. Or thinks he can. She has to have known this was coming. But he's had uncomfortable conversations before. He can do it again. ]

It's about David. [ He raises a hand, cutting her off before she can protest. ] Don't - don't run off, all right? I know you don't wanna talk about it, and I swear, you won't have to ever again after this. But I...

[ He swallows. ]

I gotta know. The stuff I heard, Ellie, what I saw...if there's any chance of stoppin' it...

[ He falls silent, stomach turning all over again at the memories. The bodies hanging in the freezer. The burning building. David's latest pet. ]

I gotta make sure you're all right.