Two things happen on the first day of Jaden's sophomore year: First, the weird lady from the Stop-N-Shop tells him a prophecy that will terrorize him. Second, he sees a dark-haired girl standing in the shadows of the auditorium who will change him forever. Jaden barrels headfirst into catastrophe as he tracks down the mysterious new girl. He becomes so obsessed with her that he doesn't realize his life is falling apart around him: his English teacher hates him, his best friend thinks he has lost his mind, and he doesn't even care that the hottest girl in school is in love with him. There is no turning back as Jaden uncovers the legend of the Duncan Shipyard, buried deep in the bayou of Louisiana's shameful past.