"Yeah, ever since I was a baby," she said. "It's like how everyone says that heroes and villains all have tragic childhoods. I don't have parents--I'm a goddamn cliche. I had several homes, and when I was in second grade when I got to that family. Middle of third grade was about when they realized I could make stuff. They pulled me out of school and put me to work fixing cars."
"Damn," The Afterdark said sympathetically.
"I was probably the only kid in the whole school who liked learning."
"Probably. Why do you hate the scars so much?"
"They're hideous."
"No need to be so insecure, Nell. They're interesting. Why, did someone make fun of you for them?"
"My foster family. That's why I wear long sleeves."
"Except for now. Why?"
She shifted on the giant couch and brought her knees up to her chest. "I was looking at my injuries. You can't really see it in this light, but--"
"I can see perfectly in this light, Nell. Don't forget who you're talking too."
She put her face in her hand. "Right. Sorry. I forgot you see in the dark. So you can see the bruises and all that?"
He said, honestly and brutally. "You look like you were starved for a month and then run over by a car." The Afterdark leaned closer to her to get a good look.