[He shrugs, like the possibility of getting hurt wasn't even a concern. Like, better me than you.]
It sounds like what he can remember is pretty awful. And ... you're right. It could have changed him. [He doesn't have a history with them, so he can only assume based on what he's heard so far and his own experience.] Some things ... When bad things happen, it can ... it can be hard to overcome them.
I think, one of the best things you can do for him is just ... be there.