Content Warning: This section discusses kidnapping, sexual abuse, trauma, and mental illness, including PTSD.

“Darkness had forever been part of her life. She looked for it and flirted with it. Became quaint with it and charmed it in a way foreign to most. Morbidly of late, she convinced herself about the joys of its company. That she preferred the blackness of death to the light of existence.”

This quote captures the deep, pervasive influence of darkness on Nicole’s character, illustrating her complex relationship with morbidity and despair. It suggests an internal struggle and an attraction to the macabre. This portrayal also hints at her vulnerability and underlying emotional pain.

“When Nicole Cutty found herself in this chasm between life and death, she chose life. And she ran like hell.”

This quote highlights Nicole’s resilience and will to survive despite being trapped in a perilous situation. It underscores her determination and instinct for self-preservation, contrasting her earlier fascination with darkness and demonstrating a pivotal moment where she consciously chooses to fight for her life.

“Nicole ticked off the people she couldn’t ask for help. Her brain worked that way, in the negative. Before deciding who could assist her, she mentally crossed off the people who would do her harm. Her parents were at the top of the list.”

This quote illuminates Nicole’s sense of isolation and mistrust, especially toward her parents, reflecting a fractured family dynamic. It also underscores her methodical and defensive mindset, revealing how her trauma and experiences have shaped her approach to seeking help and navigating her precarious circumstances.