It's 1969. Man is on the moon. America is in Vietnam.

And deep in an Alabama swamp the Cryman stirs, sniffs the air, and follows the scent of troubled souls.

Thirteen-year-old Aaron is the first to see it, the first to bear its wrath, and he must choose which path to take: the Thorny Path of lust and vengeance, or the Dark Path of eternal loneliness. Either way his life is forfeit but he can still save some people, like his beloved sister, who is drifting away from him with each passing hour; an annoying little brother; distant and indifferent Mom; his neighbors; or his brand new girlfriend.

No one gets out of this the same. And only a few get out alive.