Chapters 1-7 Summary

Chapter 1:

Because of the abduction of his twin sister Alyssa, abandonment by his father Spencer and his mother Katherine's addictive relationship with the despicable Ken Hololoway, Johnny Merrimon is a hyper-vigilant thirteen-year-old who double-checks locks on the doors, drinks and skips school, and distrusts adults. He is haunted by memories of his family's life together before these losses, determined to find out what has happened to his sister and to collar the responsible person. Whenever old family friend Detective Hunt cruises by the Merrimon's house, which is often, Johnny blows him off with a cover story, telling him, "I'm good...hanging in," despite the horrors of his daily life. Johnny hangs out with his only friend, Jack, who is the delinquent son of a cop.

Chapter 2:

Johnny awakens to discover a collection of Vicodin bottles in the bathroom. He wistfully looks...