Fifteen-year-old Maryanna Duncard's life is a delicate balance of school and trying to steer clear of her abusive dad, Ethan. When she meets Faron, their connection quickly ignites her life, and they fall deeply in love. Maryanna is over the moon, and things are going well. Her future looks bright. Until, that is, her father catches them in her room one fateful night and hunts Maryanna's first love down in cold blood with his Winchester repeater. Maryanna turns to the police who, for some strange reason, refuse to believe a word she says. Despite all the evidence to the contrary, they claim Faron's murder was just a horrific accident. On the run now and fearful for her life, Maryanna must learn how to survive on her own in a cruel world that has taught her to trust no one. The next years force her into a downward spiral that almost takes her life. Along the way, she meets a new friend, James, and her journey to love again leads her somewhere she never expected. Can Maryanna learn to take control of the darkness she carries within, or will it devour her before she can claim her happy ending?