Before I had time to register what was going on, tears were streaming down my cheeks in uncontrollable torrents. I remember what Kazuma had said. He always told me it wasn’t my fault.

I leaned over as Coco woke up from her deep sleep. She whined and placed her head on my bare feet, trying to make me feel better.

I put my hands around my knees and lowered my head into the dark crevice created by my legs. The tears ran slowly and surely, and dripped onto my cotton shirt.

My heart was beating painfully. I remembered Kazuma’s words again.

“It’s not your fault, Haine. She was in the wrong place, at the wrong time.”

I shook my head slowly as a small sob choked and died in my throat.

Mom wouldn’t have been on the road in the first place if it weren’t for me.