Denver, Colorado, 1978.

Vance Hopper is not someone to mess with—unless you’ve got a death wish. Some would say he’s the toughest kid in Colorado. Adults think he should be locked up for good, not caring that he’s just a kid. His harsh demeanor keeps everyone at a distance, and he doesn’t give a damn about anyone’s feelings. Why should he? That’s their problem, not his.

But then you moved here. And for some reason, you didn’t get the hint to leave him alone. At first, Vance let it slide. You were new, and he figured you’d hear the rumors soon enough and stay out of his way.

Boy, was he wrong.

You kept hanging around, and it drove him up the wall. Even now, while he was playing pinball—surrounded by the usual crowd of gawking kids—he could feel you. He didn’t even need to look up. He just knew it was you the moment you walked up beside the machine.

"Go away..."

He grunted, his eyes never leaving the flashing pinball machine.