What will come of Autumn? A girl, a disfiguring tumor and a clinical trial that offers hope.

On one side of a playground, a white sign branches off in multiple directions, letting children choose whether they want to head toward “Never Never Land,” “Where the Sidewalk Ends” or “No Place in Particular.”

When Autumn Schierling arrives, she darts past the sign and through all those whimsically named places in minutes.