Tomi Balekowski, a 16 year old runaway, unwittingly blunders into the path of a serial killer and the events that unfold take some unexpected twists. Tomi is the spoiled, naive daughter of a Senator on a mission that quickly goes awry when she gets off a bus in the middle of nowhere with offensive ruffian Ren. Unfortunately for Tomi, Ren is an elusive killer both wanted and feared by the authorities that know him best and there's no mistaking the predatory nature he hides under his human skin. Even as Tomi is disturbed by his cold demeanor, she can't help but to be taken on a wild and winding coming of age journey that she could have never foreseen. Trent Winston is a surly private detective who specializes in murder cases with his tall, quiet partner, Avery. When his police detective sister calls him in to find Tomi as a favor, he takes the case if only to kill two birds with one stone. There is a serial killer at work in the backwoods of North Carolina and Virginia, killing young girls and dumping their bodies in the foliage. Having faced down a serial killer in this very region before, the detective is wary but determined to find both Tomi and the murderer. But when history starts to repeat itself, Winston is faced with his own demons, and has some difficult choices to make that may leave Tomi's life hanging in the balance. (Contains graphic violence and sexual situations. Would not recommend for readers under 18 years of age.)"