Peter Bray, the boy who has "The Shine", is only eight years old when he uses his gift for the first time. He touches that hand that has been desmembered and he is covered with darkness. Three murders in which three girls' bodies have been chopped up (and their heads are not found) are causing Sheriff Aston a lot of trouble. He does not know how to act in this kind of situations. The Big Bob's daughter, Carietta, has disappeared. Everyone wonders whether she is dead or not. The Mayor, Bob's friend, is also looking for her.In two parallel universes, Peter hides his secret from his gang, while the Sheriff, his officers, Bob and the Mayor are trying to get to the truth. But only Peter can find it out. Before the murders committed in the cold winter, 34 years later.