In a future where the law limits a family to only two children, third-born Luke has been in hiding for the entire twelve years of his life, until he enters boarding school under an assumed name and is forced to face his fears.
While sitting through a fearsome thunderstorm that has put the lights out, Thomas hears a story from Grandfather's boyhood, when Grandfather was afraid of thunderstorms.
Rose is too scared to sleep at night because she knows there's a big, scary wolf in her room, so she tells Papa about it and he helps her dispel her fears.
A little kitten fearfully faces scary things such as a huge figure on the wall, but when he encounters a tiny spider, he discovers a bravery deep inside himself.
The sister of the Three Little Pigs comes to visit and tries to persuade her brothers, who have been hermits since an episode with a wolf, to overcome their fears and go outside.
Peggy receives a mysterious call from the Viper warning that he is coming in one year, with repeated calls which count down the dwindling time until his arrival.
