The shield protecting Butterpond has fallen. Eleven Roots are locked up in holding. Time is running out.

Maya, Meghan, and Mira are stuck in a holding cell at the Guardian Station with eight other thirteen-year-olds for a crime they didn't commit. There are two Roots on the outside, but they have no hope in those two breaking them out. They didn't believe the truth.

Time seems to be moving slowly, but that doesn't make their hour any longer.

Maya is tired of all the roadblocks that just keep getting in their way. It seems like one thing after another. She must choose whether to continue on or throw in the towel. Will she choose the path for her purpose, or will she choose the path of least resistance like her parents want?

Meghan is still reeling from what happened at her testing. Can she be a good leader if her default method for getting out of a tight spot is lying? Can she lead these people, her classmates, into a life or death situation?

Mira is ready to end all of this. Her anxiety about Haven's well-being is sending her into panic mode. He hasn't spoken to her since they left the library. Are they already too late? Will they even make it out of the jail cell in time to save Haven from dissipation?