Content Warning: This section of the guide includes descriptions of physical abuse and graphic violence.

Twenty-six-year-old Rose Evans has been a part of the Silveria Circus ever since she fled home at 15 years old. With Silveria, she runs a tarot-reading tent and participates in acrobatic performances. While the circus is in Hartford, Nebraska, Lucy Cranwell visits Rose for a reading. From their conversation, Rose intuits the fact that Lucy’s husband, Matt Cranwell, is abusive. However, Lucy does not directly ask Rose for help as many of her other clients do. Suddenly, Lucy’s children appear, interrupting the reading, and Matt soon arrives as well. Because of her memories of her own abusive father, Rose can immediately tell that Matt is a violent man. After the family leaves, Rose assigns a fellow circus performer named Baz the task of stealing Matt’s license. With Matt’s ID in hand, Rose learns where he lives. She shuffles her cards and considers what to do, reflecting that she does not want another woman to continue living in fear.

Rose leaves the circus and heads to Matt’s farm on her motorcycle—which she also uses for stunt rides in the circus.