Rachel is a sweet girl with a troubled soul, caused by a unique gift - she can see evil spirits within others. After witnessing the brutal killing of her mother, Rachel and her father look for a fresh start by moving to a new town. After befriending classmate Michelle Lowe, Rachel soon realizes that her new 'best friend' may not be the girl she first appeared to be. Rachel's visions could be the key to stopping a series of violent attacks against the town's children and unlocking the puzzle behind a grim murder
Ben Singer is a failed children's folk singer, a career proofreader, a less-than-extraordinary weekend dad, and perhaps the most negative man alive. Floundering in all aspects of his life, Ben's only comfort comes from regular chess games and friendly debates on game theory with his Senegalese roommate Ibou. When Ibou is suddenly struck ill, Ben's pessimistic worldview seems unequivocally confirmed. It takes an extended visit from Ibou's sister Khadi for Ben to realize that cynicism may be all a matter of perspective.
