Question L

[Jonetta]

Leo/Shane observes Kim over a number of days and is impacted by what he sees, causing him to be unable to carry out Alex’s orders. He chose to commit suicide to stop his personal torture. What do you make of Kim’s decision to let him go?

[Robin]

Leo saw Kim trying to help Gemma. He knew Alex screwed him over in the last book. I think he came to the conclusion that Alex was trying to do the same thing to Kim.

I think Kim knew that Shane's life had been hell, mostly because of Alex. She understood why he stabbed himself. I don't think he would have survived if Kim had worked on him until the ambulance got there. It sounded like he was bleeding too much.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

I'm sure some of Kim's decision to let him go was a result of the mental trauma in her own life. Interestingly when Jason Cross tried to kill himself Kim wouldn't let him go, saving him when everyone else had given up. In Shane's case she must have thought the pain was too much for him to ever have any sort of life so she respected his decision and let him go.

[Charlene]

I appreciate your insight in contrasting Jason's suicide attempt with Shane's, Lisa.

[Jonetta]

Shane begged Kim to let him go and she could see in his eyes that the pain he experienced was overwhelming. He might have been salvageable if not for the damage done by Alex. But overcoming the trauma of being sexually abused, disbelieved and ostracized by your family and then murdering your abuser was too much for poor Shane. And imagine the shame of having been fooled and twice deceived by Alex.

Kim understood that pain and also saw Shane was consumed by it. I think she felt Jason’s suicide attempt was an in-the-moment impulse he could work through. Poor Shane was a lost cause.

[Sharon]

Great insight on the two suicides and how Kim went above and beyond for Jason while she let Shane die.

Kim is a strong person and she knows how much she struggles with her past. Shane is weak. Kim wanted to allow him peace, which she saw in his eyes as he gave up the ghost.

[Jonetta]

It was just so sad. Wish there was a way Alex could be held accountable for his death.

[Lynn]

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "I'm sure some of Kim's decision to let him go was a result of the mental trauma in her own life. Interestingly when Jason Cross tried to kill himself Kim wouldn't let him go, saving him when everyo..."

That is an interesting point. I imagine that was the purpose those two suicide attempts were a part of the story.

[Lynn]

I also agree with Sharon. Kim recognizes that there are some people that are beyond saving.