Jason Taggart is a junior high student in the small town of Wisdom, Arizona. His life is full of study, friends and the lovely Darla Jansen on whom he has a major crush. Follow along as he works to gain her eye and obtain her favor.

Things change on a trip to a shooting competition outside Wisdom. Jason learns the kids outside are different from himself and his friends. Never is this more obvious than when he, Darla and two others are mugged. With their lives threatened, Jason and Darla react without thinking to put the would-be robbers in the hospital.

Matters come to a head in Phoenix. Having earned a reward with their outstanding performance, Jason's class is shopping in a mall for their trip to the Renaissance Faire. Terrorists take over the mall and make all within it their hostages.

With death staring them in the face Jason and his friends must find the courage to step up and save the innocent lives. Failure means death. Success means Jason and the rest must face who they really are.