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.

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.

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

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.”