Bausch, Robert

Though enthusiastic to immerse himself in the lives of his students, newly-graduated high school English teacher Ben Jameson become enmeshed in the lives of three students--one who is being abused, a molestation victim, and a beautiful eighteen-year-old returning to school to graduate. Ben's misguided attempts at "saving" the children shows how dangerous relationships with students can be, and the impact of mixing idealism with reality.

Penny Bone has always been terrified of the local tale of a child-stealing phantom, and in Crawford, Virginia, the unofficial motto is "beware what you fear, because it may come true" and a bizarre series of events soon forces Penny and her husband John to face their worst fears.