Jesse Clarke, new to the town of Ashton, finds herself hated the moment she sets foot in her new high school. From her bus driver who is about to lose his job, to the principal who fears a revolt by his teaching staff, Jesse is the object of their anger and frustration. Her crime? She's the daughter of the new town manager, a conservative who is trying to save Ashton from sinking into bankruptcy under the weight of a bloated town government. He's making her life hell by cutting jobs left and right. Though he is untouchable in his high offices, Jesse isn't. She has to walk amongst the friends and family of those who are out of work because of him and she must bear the brunt of their rage. And she has another problem. Ashton is home to its very own un-convicted serial killer. Mocking the police, he roams the forests in search of his next victim, looking for that 'special someone'. This year that someone is Jesse Clarke and the town is only too happy to sacrifice her to appease his ferocious lusts. Stalked by a ferocious murderer and set against an entire town, Jesse's life becomes a torturous hell that only grows worse when she falls for the one boy who can't possibly love her without killing her.