Summary

In Chapter 1, Eric Hayes, whose family has just moved to Bellport, Long Island, was practicing basketball when he saw a boy covered with ketchup running as if he were fleeing an enemy. The boy, whose shirt was torn, continued to look behind him as if he was being pursued, but Eric did not see anyone.

Eric called out to ask the boy if he was okay, but the boy just looked at Eric with hatred in his eyes. When Eric stepped toward the boy, he ran off as if he was afraid of Eric.

In Chapter 2, soon, Eric saw four children, three boys and a girl, on bicycles. One of the boys rode up to Eric and asked if he had seen a boy run past. Eric said he had not. The boy asked Eric if he was new. Eric sensed a threat...