Patrick never wanted to move to Waskasoo City. He has no friends there; his dad is going to be the school principal, and some bullies have decided to welcome him in their own special way. And then there's the school itself. Craven Hill School resembles a foreboding old castle, with its looming towers, long dark staircases, and forbidding bell tower. Late one night, while waiting for his father to finish work, Patrick finds himself drawn down the school's dark hallway and up its gloomy stairs. There he see a young boy materialize before him and then disappear into thin air. That's just the beginning of Patrick's troubles because the ghost keeps appearing in the most unlikely places. Though the wraith doesn't speak, he seems to be demanding Patrick's help with something--only Patrick can't seem to understand what that something is. Increasingly angry and impatient, the spirit lashes out as he grows more and more powerful. Desperate to find out what is wanted of him, Patrick begins to investigate. He discovers that nearly forty years before, a young boy disappeared forever from Craven Hill. Like Patrick, he was new to the school and his father was the principal . . .