In the town of WhitingÕs Square, population 2,948 and declining, new students are a different species. But even with that, there was something especially unusualÑand offÑabout high school sophomore Michael Clark. When Jack and his younger friend Renault try to satisfy their curiosity about the newcomerÕs odd mannerisms, they begin to uncover secrets that defy belief and canÕt be shared with adults. The danger becomes all too real as shape-shifters in the woods are revealed and strange forces use every power they have to get Jack to do their bidding.