WinterhascometoRoute117,aremoteroadthroughthehighdesertofUtahtraffickedonlybyeccentrics,fugitives,andthoselookingtoescapetheworld.LocaltruckdriverBenJones,stillinmourningoveraheartbreakingloss,isjusttryingtogetthroughanotherseasonoftreacherousroadsandsuddensnowfallwithoutanaccident.ButthenhefindsamuteHispanicchildwhohasbeenabandonedataseedytruckstopalonghisroute,farfromcivilizationandbearinganotethatsimplyreads"PleaseBen.Watchmyson.HisnameisJuan"Andthenatthebottom,afewmorehastilyscribbledwords."BadTrouble.Tellnoone.."Despitedeepmisgivings,andwithoutanyhintofwhothischildisorthegravedangerhe'sfacing,Bentakesthechildwithhiminhistruckandsetsoutintoanenvironmentthatisasdangerousasitisbeautifulandsilent.Fromthatmomentforward,nothingwilleverbethesame.NotforBen.Notforthechild.AndnotforanyonealongtheseeminglyemptystretchofroadknownasRoute117.