Hanna has been a prisoner of the Institute for her entire adult life. Though the Institute claims residents are there to be rehabilitated so they can rejoin society, everyone knows they are prisoners for life. Especially the Howlers, dangerous residents restricted to solitary confinement. But her friend, Mya, is dead set on escape, and Hanna is helpless to do anything but agree—even if escape means being forced to overcome her fear of the Howlers, fear of herself, and fear of what happens if they fail—or succeed.