In a small town in Michigan, a 19-year-old college student named Kylie Ossege seeks solace and comfort in her horse, Blaze, after surviving two deadly mass school shootings. Having experienced the horrors of the Oxford High School shooting in 2021 and another at Michigan State University (MSU) just 14 months later, Ossege finds solace in the presence of Blaze, her 13-year-old American Quarter Horse.

Ossege lovingly brushes Blaze's forehead and plants a kiss between his eyes, expressing how at home she feels when she is with him. A sense of shattered hope and haunting memories lingers in her life, as she battles physical pain and traumatic memories that she can never fully escape. For 15 agonizing minutes during the Oxford High School shooting, she lay bleeding on the hallway floor, unable to move due to her heavy backpack and the severity of her injuries.

Eventually, help arrived, and Ossege was rushed to a nearby hospital in Pontiac, where she spent the next six weeks recovering. The attack claimed the lives of her classmate, Hana St. Juliana, along with three other students. Ossege had partnered with one of the victims, Tate Myre, earlier that day for a bullying prevention program. The shooter, Ethan Crumbley, was an Oxford student unknown to Ossege.

As the sentencing hearing for Crumbley approaches, Ossege plans to deliver an in-person victim impact statement, eager to have her words and story heard. She hopes that Crumbley will be sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison, a sentiment shared by many, including herself.

Despite the challenges she faces, Ossege delivered a powerful speech at Oxford High School's commencement ceremony in 2022, urging her classmates and the community to "radiate and shine." However, her journey back to normalcy has not been easy. The physical pain resulting from her injuries constantly reminds her of the shooting. A bullet had traveled through her clavicle and ribs, causing a spinal cord concussion that temporarily paralyzed her. She underwent a surgical procedure to stabilize her spine and relieve pressure from a spinal cord hematoma.

After intense physical and occupational therapy, Ossege can walk again, but the pain persists. She finds relief through medications and rest, as she studies kinesiology at MSU. Her determination to overcome these challenges led her to seek medical help at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, where doctors performed a successful fusion procedure to stabilize her spine. Her pain levels are expected to diminish over time, allowing her to return to the physical activities she enjoyed before the shooting, such as tennis and horseback riding.

Despite her own struggles, Ossege remains disheartened by the prevalence of mass shootings in the United States. She had to endure another shooting at MSU, where three students lost their lives and five others were injured. Ossege and her suitemates found refuge in a bathroom until it was safe to come out. A sheriff's deputy who had befriended Ossege during the Oxford shooting drove to MSU to pick her up and take her home. Ossege expresses anger and sadness at the frequency of these incidents but remains hopeful that change can be achieved.

She remains active in advocating against gun violence through her involvement with the MSU chapter of March For Our Lives. Ossege draws strength from the unwavering support of her friends and family, including her father, older brother, and mother, who left her job to care for her daughter full-time.

When she returns home from school, Ossege makes the journey to Mayfield Township, where Blaze is boarded. The sight of her beloved horse brings a smile to her face, and she finds peace in grooming him and spending time together. As Blaze grazes in a field, Ossege reflects on the light and goodness that still exist in the world, despite the darkness she has experienced.

In the end, Ossege's story is one of resilience and hope. Despite the unimaginable trauma she has endured, she continues to radiate strength and stands as a symbol of the indomitable human spirit.