Chapters 1 through 4 Summary

As the story open, Jemma Marsh, known as Jem, says there are places kids like her go. She says she is "different" and that teachers are usually relieved when kids like her don't show up for school. Jem says most kids are in small groups but she tends to remain alone. One day she goes to her "favorite haunt" near the canal and finds a black teenager there. His name is Terry Dawson but everyone calls him Spider. Spider is tall and Jem says he seems to be "all arms and legs." Spider immediately teases Jem about her decision to skip school that day. Jem's immediate reaction is to turn away from him, but before she does, she sees the number - 12152010. From experience, Jem knows this number represents the date of Spider's death, which is just a few months away...