“What do you think, Gaara. Did I even have a choice?” Tears welled at her lashes and spilled over. “I was alone. If there was even one chance for me to save myself, of course I would take it.”

“How could you do that when—”

“Who do you think would have helped me back then?” Her voice trembled but did not falter. “You, Gaara? You? I never once thought of that, because I was a stranger to you while Vinson was your close friend. And what did you do when you knew I was ...