Whether he meant that metaphorically or not, Mel has the experience to take it literally.

"Know which one I'd choose."

It flashes up, but she ignores it; red, unending desert in a dull, unending half-light. Hunting and fighting and eating and hunting.

She ignores it, and it goes away, because she never wants to think of that if she can help it. Still, that or confinement and she wouldn't think twice.

Although she'd fight against the choice itself, as if violence would solve anything - and it usually does, for her.