I did the only thing I could think to do that said 'innocent' and 'forgiven' all in one. I wrapped her in my arms and held her tightly. She started to cry again, harder this time. I just held her while she cried and soothed her with little strokes to her back.

"I'm so sorry. Please take my life; I don't deserve to live," she whispered in my ear.

"You will live and you will learn. We all make mistakes. You must get through this," I said back to her.

I felt her cling tighter to me and I looked up to see Joel's large hand stroking her back. "If...