Pennsylvania, 1940s. Brighton Friedrich was born and raised within the dreary walls of Riverside Home, a rural asylum. A nurse, Joann, has educated and raised Brighton, whose mother is a patient at the hospital. But Joann has also kept vital information from Brighton. Her only friend is a boy she calls Angel; together they make a daring escape. But beyond the walls of Riverside they have no legal identities, very little money, and only a few leads toward a safe place to land. They must rely on each other and the kindness of strangers-- some of whom may prove more dangerous than the asylum they have fled. -- adapted from back cover