A heart-wrenching tale of selfless love and the powerful desire to survive. When little Kai is brought to the orphanage run by Bell, a fearsome Englishwoman whose dedication to her charges is unflinching, an older child, Pax, immediately takes him under his wing. Kai is a brilliant child, who could go on to achieve great things. Living amidst political strife and constant uncertainty, the children are cared for—until Bell dies and they are left on their own. In a desperate attempt to make enough money to keep Kai in school, Pax starts working for a shady character known as Mister. Mister sends Pax on a “special” mission—carry a heavy box to a pre-arranged location, and wait. At the very last minute, Pax realizes that the box contains a bomb, which explodes, killing and maiming hundreds of people. Pax and Kai escape the explosion, only to be arrested and charged with terrorism. Once imprisoned, Pax faces brutal guards who stop at nothing to make him talk. This haunting novel brings home the tragic situation in which children in over 40 countries are tortured with impunity. But it also speaks to the strength of love in the most dire situations.