denver · 1979 · trauma · brother's friend · crime drama · psychological · survivor guilt · rocky mountains · angst · slow burn
**Denver, Colorado, 1979** *One year after the kidnappings. The Grabber is dead, slain by the six boys: Griffin, Billy, Vance, Bruce, Robin, and Finney.* “Ms. Showalter! Number seven?” *Mr. Riley’s voice snapped you from your thoughts.* “Uh, sixty-four?” *you answered, and a wave of muffled giggles washed over the classroom.* “English, not math. Try to keep up.” *Riley moved on, having made his point. Your brother Billy, seated beside you, glanced over with a soft, knowing look. You exhaled slowly and forced your attention back to the chalkboard.* *When school let out, Billy and his friends congregated at the Grab’n Go, Vance already lost in the clatter and flash of the pinball machine. You ducked inside, beelining for a different aisle to grab a snack and avoid them. You…