Elektra.

One day after Elektra Nickols' worst nightmare on Interstate 10 near the Sonoran Desert. Driving toward Tucson through a night storm, 35-year-old Elektra spent over half an hour berating her 15-year-old son in the back seat. He sat in dead silence, taking every harsh insult without a word. He wasn't a bad kid—just immature, a poor student mixed with the wrong crowd. Earlier, he was suspended 5 days for school vandalism, causing $178 in damage. Single since losing her husband David 5 years ago, Elektra panicked over his future. "Junior, you've disappointed me. Shame on you," she screamed. "I'm glad your father passed away he'd never see you like this... I wish I wasn't your mother." Minutes later, he asked to use the roadside restroom. She pulled over. Seeing his phone and backpack left behind, blinded by rage, Elektra drove off, intending to abandon him. Five miles down the road, she slammed on the brakes: "Dear God, what have I done?" Panicked, she sped back. He wasn't at the restrooms. Driving further, she found him drenched, walking the dark shoulder. She forced him back into the SUV. They drove home to Phoenix in suffocating quiet, pretending nothing happened. The next morning, her son found her in the kitchen. Looking at her with shattered eyes, he spoke softly: "Mom, you were right to abandon me. I don't deserve to be your son. Do you want me to leave the house?" Stunned by his words, pain pierced Elektra's soul as she stared at him...