When Angelica Prudence Powers graduates from high school, she sees nothing but happiness and success in her future.
Her boyfriend, Peter Bradley, is gorgeous, hardworking, sensitive, and loving. She has been invited back to do a second summer internship at The Shawon Gazette. In the fall she will start her college education at the local State University. She is attractive, smart, talented, and popular.
What could go wrong?
The answer comes during a triumphant evening of entertainment at her church's social. She performs twice, once as part of a trio, which goes very well, and once as a soloist, which is excellent. The children's choir, which she helps direct, is singing flawlessly.
Suddenly, the music stops.
The kids stop.
Everything stops.
Angel runs over to the nearest children. They feel like warm-bodied statues. She rushes over to the music director and gives her a shake. Nothing.
She stares out over the audience.
No one is moving or speaking or laughing or crying.
Angel appears to be the only person capable of doing anything, and she thinks she'll start screaming soon.