This Is Our Story

The first chapter is prefaced by a brief section of a few pages that sets the scene for the story to come. Although it’s not labeled as such, it’s essentially a prologue—an introductory chapter to a novel.

An anonymous speaker, who will later be identified as John Michael, narrates the passage in first person. He describes the inciting event that sparks the ensuing narrative: A group of five teenage boys go hunting and one of them, Grant, is shot.

Grant was shot with the Remington—the only rifle in the group. Any one of the boys could be guilty because all of them handled that rifle at some point. All of their fingerprints are on it. John Michael further notes that the group has been drinking and taking drugs. The incident could thus be classified a “negligent homicide,” a crime that can result in prison time. John Michael takes control of the situation, telling the boys, “There’s no reason for anyone to ruin his whole life over this” (3).

The group agrees that nobody will own up to using the Remington. The only way for all of them to get out of this is to stick together.