Fierce snowstorms are common at the ends of the earth. One day, a ten-year-old boy goes missing during a blizzard. His fate troubles three unrelated adults who set out to search for him: Freeman, a God-fearing Vietnam veteran; Bess, a fiery redhead to match her temperament; and Benedict, sullen as a Kodiak bear. They have only hours. Each of them is keeping their own secret. Each, at one time or another, was caught up in the whirlwind of tragedy. Each set out to flee: first from themselves, and later in search of themselves. And only the misfortune that unites them helps them all find the true path to warmth and light.