In Robin McKinley's book "Sunshine," the protagonist reflects on her experience with trauma, suggesting that it's an omnipresent companion that follows her relentlessly. Rather than merely a lingering effect of past events, she perceives her trauma as an active force, akin to a dog by its owner's side, illustrating how it influences her daily life and thoughts.

This metaphor highlights the struggle of living with trauma, emphasizing that it is not just a psychological state but a continuous presence that she must navigate. Instead of dismissing her feelings as post-traumatic shock, she acknowledges her trauma as an inescapable reality that shapes her existence.