The kitten

2021 winner of nyc big book award distinguished favorite2021 winner - indieb.r.a.g medallion honoree sexual crimes against children are a unique type of brutality. they condemn the victim to a lifetime of hell, with repercussions that reach far beyond the life of the abuser. we hear about these atrocities all the time and feel powerless to stop them. but what if you could do something? if you could spare even one child the loss of their innocence in such a cruel manner, would you? think about what it would take. i'll wait...if you don't have the stomach for it, it's okay, i totally understand. don't beat yourself up about it; i've got your back. my name is chelle and i firmly believe we all need a hero. even if it means taking matters into my own hands. i could have become like so many other victims and let my experience define how i live my life. i could have chosen to dwell in that dark and lonely place forever. but i refuse to let the memories define me. instead i choose to channel my pain into something useful. some might call me a vigilante, but i prefer to think of myself as a righter of wrongs. you see, our biggest problem is that the law doesn't take action until after a crime has been committed, and that's too late. that's why i'm here; to put a stop to it once and for all. i make sure they never harm another child. that's what i do. that's who i am. try not to judge me. it may be your child's life i save.