The Final Scene

by Steph Nelson

Brooke doesn’t remember her first day at the cabin, but she’ll never forget the day he grabbed her.

Thirty years old, newly divorced, a shared apartment with her widowed mom, and shared custody of a baby girl with her ex.

Brooke slipped earbuds in and hit play on her audiobook. Some domestic thriller.

Irooooooonnnnyyyy

More like keeping tabs to create a cushion between herself and danger if necessary.

It was as simple as a tug on her ponytail, a huge, warm hand covering her mouth, and then a pinch at the shoulder. The last thing she thought was, This is it. This is how I die. That was ten years ago.

She plays the part of young Grace Hamilton, age nine. Never mind that she’s twenty-three.

Grace pushed the button on the device once and it gave him a sharp jolt of electricity through the metal band, his collar.

Favorite stories are full of friends to visit when you have nobody else.

Brady would call the precaution ridiculous. But Brady’s never been a woman.

If Brooke didn’t know any better, she’d think he believes her. That she’s trying to serve him, take care of him. The confidence of a less-than-mediocre white man.

I’m telling you it’s better to go all in and try. Even if it means you might fail. I’d rather go out like that than live a nothing existence.”

Before he can knock her to the ground, the gun goes off.

OMFG WTF!!! Ass!!