Vi's only stability in life is Handsome, her grandmother's dog, who becomes her best buddy and loyal protector, saving her repeatedly from her grandmother's "handy" husband and the school crime syndicate's efforts to abduct her. She meets Mrs. Burch, who's under cover at the school Vi enrolls in as the guidance counselor. Mrs. Burch is investigating the missing girls' incidents that Vi has no clue of at the time. She meets Vince one afternoon after school as she's running away from the group of kids that want to do her bodily harm. Unbeknownst to Vi, Vince, is investigating her father for embezzling. Vince invites her to join his running group the next morning. She and Handsome show up and are met with kindness and enthusiasm. It is in the midst of Vi's horrific time in NYC , with the help of Handsome, the kindness of Mrs. Burch, and Vince and Vince's parents, who are all such a contrast to her own family, that she learns to stand up for herself and becomes determined to fight for the life she deserves.