Seth Donaldson's life mirrors his beginnings. Plunged headlong into existence in a dusty paddock in the middle of the hay season, his selective mutism makes him a target for abuse and bullying. Abandoned by his mother, his childhood is one of isolation, until he is befriended by the local newsagent, owner of one of the few shops remaining open in a rural town of diminishing population. His step-father's death brings a change of fortune and marks the beginning of a chain of tragic events that enshrouds the town in grief and suspicion. The increased ostracism that results makes Seth easy prey for a predatory sociopath, seeking revenge for imagined slights and his own social inadequacies. When another of his tormentor's victims is dumped in his cellar, presumed dead, Seth nurses her back to health and together they plot their longer term survival. A fierce electrical storm forms the backdrop for a collision between those intent on vengeance and those seeking to avoid further tragedy. In recovery, Seth finds a place for himself beyond the confines of the choices of others and with this new confidence, creates a unique community to save the town from extinction.
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