Zero at the Bone

His sister’s disappearance threatens to tear a boy’s family apart

Cray is the first to smell smoke. It’s his 1st week on the job, working alongside his father at the family plant, and he’s afraid of making a fool of himself. So he waits on the factory floor, the machines screaming and wood chips flying. But he’s finally certain: The roof is on fire, and if the blaze isn’t put out, the factory could explode.

Cray calls the fire department and races through the building telling the workers to flee. He’s amazed by how calm they are. The fire is extinguished, and life slowly returns to normal. But the true crisis is just around the corner. When Cray’s sister disappears and the police search reveals no trace of her, he discovers fear affects everyone differently—and it’s not always smart to stay calm.