In Book One, the nightmare begins when Marcus and his family move into the house at 142 Sycamore Lane, which borders the derelict St. Elias Asylum. Rather than fleeing when things get strange, Marcus and his two closest friends-Jake and his crush, Eleanor (Leo)-decide to explore the property to uncover its secrets. ​As they delve deeper into the asylum's ruins and the house's hidden spaces, Marcus begins to suffer from debilitating nightmares that are actually a bridge for a demon to enter our world. This entity is a sadist that thrives on "the ripening"-forcing its victims to endure peak psychological suffering before it finally claims their lives. The trio must rely on their bond and Marcus's unique connection to the dream world to defeat the demon in its lair, ultimately sealing it away-but only for a decade.