I didn't know this was a short story. It was so anxious to know what was going to happen to Elena that I didn't realize it was the end. I've read one other book by Hodge and it was a different genre and style. The nature was not as heavy as this book but I think she did an amazing job capturing Elena's emotions and experiences. There are scenes that I had to cringe when I read them but I think they were necessary to make the readers feel something.