The year is 1914. 12-year-old Frank Thornton is walking home with Jean, his girlfriend, when their journey suddenly goes horribly awry. They become victims of a vicious attack, with Frank left to defend his girlfriend with the only thing at his disposal - a cheap plastic sword! 26 years later, under the cloud of WWII, Frank and Jean become separated while scrambling to get to an air-raid shelter. In the corner of his eye, Frank catches a glimpse of a terrifying vision from his past. Turning to confirm his suspicion he almost runs over Peter, a young boy who is about to be the thing's next victim. This is the story of Ben Wilson, Frank and Jean's grandson. Ben is 12 years old and lives with his father, mother and brother... and more recently, something he believes has moved in to the cellar beneath the stairs. Ben's paths are constantly criss-crossed by sinister and menacing figures, and his parents and teachers are behaving very strangely. Under threat at home, at school and everywhere in-between, Ben turns to his grandparents and his friend, Susan, for help. Time is running out. Ben has to make some hard decisions - with disastrous consequences. If you like happy endings, you'd better read another book!