"A heartbreaking story of a young girl's fight for survival in a world full of betrayal, hate, and murder... All her life, twelve-year-old Mud has been told the Devil would be coming for her. With only her schizophrenic mother to protect her, Mud must learn to survive in the swamps of Louisiana by any means necessary. Even if she must take a life to do it. But then her mother is murdered in front of her... Suddenly alone in the world, Mud takes to the streets, stealing what's required to stay alive. She knows that evil is coming, and she trusts no one. Until a chance meeting with Grace Holloway changes everything. Grace seems kind and generous, taking Mud in when no one else would. But Grace's life is also filled with secrets--dark secrets that could very well destroy them both..."--Cover.