It's the 1870s. Megan Collins is thirteen. She and her family left England when she was five. She vaguely remembers her life back then, before they moved to Mississippi along with a few other families to start a settlement. Her parents were often embarrassed by her since she was so weak and small compared to the other girls her age, and it was hard for her to do her share of the work. she could tell her parents didn't like her much. Another mouth to feed. They never said it, but she knew they thought it. then it happened, their settlement was overrun by Indians. They had to leave. Seeing their chance, Mr. and Mrs. Collins and their oldest son fled, leaving Meg and her brother behind to fend for themselves.