The biggest problem high school senior Asher Sullivan faces is dealing with the aftermath of a humiliating daydream about his school crush, Grace. That is, until he stumbles upon an old newspaper clipping featuring a murder investigation that had gone cold. Maybe Ash becomes so absorbed in the case as a way to take his mind off Grace, as his best friend suspects. This particular case does pique Ash's interest though, even if a part of him knows his friend is right. When Ash decides to open his own miniature investigation, he finds himself in more peril than he could ever imagine: Ash gets sent to a war-torn country called Dero. Navigating Dero proves both dangerous and thrilling as Ash fights to return to the place he calls home.