Gemma Toombs Timeline and Summary

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• Gemma meets Ty in the park at age 10.
• Gemma discovers a bird's nest left by Ty on her windowsill one morning.
• Unbeknownst to Gemma, Ty attacks Josh after he attempts to follow her home after a party.
• Gemma leaves with her parents on an art expedition to Vietnam.
• After drugging her coffee, Ty kidnaps Gemma and transports her to his isolated property in Australia.
• Once she discovers the extent of her isolation, Gemma attempts suicide by slitting her wrist.
• Ty encourages Gemma to explore the property. She wanders into the maze of the Separates and climbs a tree to survey the surrounding desert.
• Ty shows Gemma his painting in one of the outbuildings.
• Gemma accompanies Ty on an expedition to capture a camel to use as transportation back at the house.
• While talking with Ty over a period of days, Gemma becomes aware of his difficult past and what brought him to Australia. She also begins to remember his presence throughout her life back in England.
• After a nasty altercation with Ty, Gemma takes his car and drives away, determined to escape.
• The oppressive heat and loneliness ultimately overtake Gemma, and she passes out naked in the sand.
• Ty rescues Gemma and brings her back to his house.
• Worn down, Gemma begins verbally attacking Ty in an attempt to break him down. He still refuses to take her back to civilization.
• Ty reveals his masterpiece painting to Gemma, a work that is intended to come to life in the light of sunset. The beauty of the painting draws Gemma toward him emotionally, and they fall asleep in the sand together.
• A snake bites Gemma when she follows Ty into the Separates the next morning. As the venom progresses through her body, Ty chooses to return her to civilization rather than risk her death.
• Gemma wakes up in a hospital, and she's physically and psychologically treated for her ordeal.
• Gemma struggles with an array of conflicting emotions regarding Ty and her kidnapping.
• Her parents attempt to take her back to England until Ty's trial, but she ultimately breaks down in a restroom at the airport and doesn't feel she can leave the country where Ty is being held.
• Gemma's family moves into a rented apartment in Perth. Upon arrival, Gemma trashes the place by breaking several objects.
• In therapy, Gemma's doctor encourages her to write about her experiences. Gemma chooses to do the assignment in the form of a letter to Ty, which is what we've been reading this whole time.
• Confused about her relationship with Ty, Gemma debates about whether to tell the truth at his trial or lie and say she willingly ran away with him. She ultimately decides to be honest but not without revealing the kindness and gentleness she saw in Ty in the midst of what happened.