"I can't do that," she said, shaking her head and crossing her arms over her chest. "You'll tell. They'll make you tell. I can't let that happen. I have to protect you. . . and her. . . and him. And myself."
She was spouting nonsense and she knew it, but she couldn't focus. "Why is it me?" she asked. "Why do I have to protect everyone? Why can't someone protect me for a change?"