Fourteen-year-old Sam Temple sits in his Social Studies class when his teacher Mr. Trentlake disappears without warning. The students realize another student, Josh, has disappeared, too. Josh was 15, so it seems anyone 15 and older is gone.

Sam and his best friend, fellow surfer Quinn Gaither, joke that the teacher “poofed.” Astrid Ellison, known as “Astrid the Genius” (3) for taking AP and university classes at only age 14, arrives. She explains that her whole math group vanished, too. Sam stares at beautiful Astrid, who he believes is out of his league.

Sam and the others hear younger students talking about taking over the school since all the adults are missing. The students’ phones aren’t working, and 911 isn’t operational. Widespread fear takes hold of the students. Sam, Quinn, and Astrid agree to stick together for safety and check their houses to see if their parents are home. 

Sam worries about the preschoolers and little ones in houses or daycare, but they head to Quinn’s residence. They discover Quinn’s parents have also vanished. Quinn breaks down crying but believes God is in control and must have taken the older people for some greater reason.