Twelve-year-old Kiersti McKenzi dreads going to the school bus stop every morning now that Sam, her neighbor, has started high school. Catching an earlier bus, Sam is not out at the side of the road to run interference anymore. Smaller than others her age, she will be threatened or slapped by the group. If she misses the bus, it will be a long walk which will make her an hour late to school again. That puts her in the principal's office. She dreams of being a horse running fast enough to get away from people who throw rocks. Now a new man has come to town: Tim Bradshaw, leader of the Sunday school. Should she share this secret with Mr. Bradshaw? If she did tell him about the violence, would he be able to do anything about it?