For Marcus Mullen, being a latchkey kid is no big deal. Every day after school, he picks up his key from its hiding place in the oak tree in the yard, and spends the afternoon working on his bike or cooking dinner for his mom and himself. It's been like that ever since his father died, and Marcus has never minded - until the day his key isn't there.

That's only the beginning. Food disappears. Clocks and flashlights vanish. Suddenly nothing feels safe and comfortable anymore. Is anybody really there? Marcus knows he has to find out - and soon!