Twins Kara and Henry are separated in a dog-eat-dog, or rather, human-eat-human, world. Kara has to fend for herself on land in a small fishing town, while Henry must struggle for survival at sea on board a ship.

Every time she closes her eyes, she sees herself dying. Real life isn't much better. Seventeen year old Laura Grey used to live with her mom and perfect younger sister in a small house upstate, but when the money became too tight, the family moved in with one of her mom's coworkers and her son in Brooklyn. Not only does Laura have to juggle switching to a new school for senior year and living down the hall from her new "brother", but she also must struggle to hide the bruises on her legs and in her mind.

Six kids. Each alone the world. A world of darkness. They are homeless. They are thieves. They are criminals. They are heroes. They are survivors. They are victims. They are fighting Them. They are THE SHADERS One night, you heard a crash in the other room. You crept out of bed to investigate, but after screams followed, you realized They had finally come. They were always coming and there was no escape, but sometimes you could hide just long enough to think you were safe. After the screams cut off, you ran. Panting and trying not to trip, you finally reached the front door. You reached for the handle when They pulled you back. You struggled and shouted as They scratched and bit you. You kicked one in the chest and It staggered back, knocking over a vase. The water spread over the floor with the shreds of pale pink petals floating on top. You scream for help as another one rips your hair out of your scalp. Please. Help me. You think as you are whacked in the back of the head and fall into darkness. The next morning, the house is Empty. Nobody lives in it anymore and all of the furniture is gone. The room you died in looks like somebody just packed up and moved out from. No one is going to look for you because they all know what happened. They got you. The same way that They get everyone.