The three moved into the living room. Grace perched on the edge of the couch, her hands trembling as she fidgeted with the hem of her hoodie. Stacey sat beside her, silent but visibly anxious. Brenda sat across from them, her gaze unwavering. “What’s your name?” she asked the girl sharply.
“Grace,” she murmured, barely audible. She cleared her throat, trying again. “My name is Grace. I… I live a few blocks away. Stacey and I met a couple of weeks ago, at the grocery store.” Her voice wavered as she avoided Brenda’s piercing gaze.