Nothing for Granted

In Paloma, Texas, three football players - Alex, Kanon and Sam - drink and drive into the woods, where they are killed by a monstrous creature known as Wraith. Protagonist Harper Nell, a black female skater girl type, is introduced along with her classmates: nerdy best friend Jax, jocky Brice, Brice’s girlfriend and daddy’s girl Kylee, and tortured artist Aaron. At a school assembly, Harper’s mother and school Principal Sandra Nell informs the students of Alex, Kanon and Sam’s death. Harper is almost attacked by Wraith, who ends up killing Aaron in the school’s auditorium instead. Sandra tries to connect with a distant Harper, who is still mourning the loss of her father. Wraith visits Harper at home, and she convinces Jax to help her after discovering the creature is from an old children’s story. Harper and Jax discover an old book in the town’s library, which holds information on Wraith. Wraith attacks them and leads them to Brice and Kylee, who beat up Jax and destroy the book. Sheriff Holt, Aaron’s father, learns about Wraith from the duo. That night, Brice is brutally murdered in his home. Sheriff Holt investigates the resulting fire and plans to hunt Wraith. Days later, Harper, Sandra and Kylee attend a mass funeral for the students killed. Harper and Sandra have a heart-to-heart, while Kylee stays behind to mourn Brice. Wraith avoids the Sheriff's trap and kills Kylee. Holt chases Wraith to the city clocktower, but is killed when it proves to be invulnerable. Jax manages to fix the pages of the book and finds a sealing ceremony, then tells Harper they can perform it at his house. Wraith attacks them, injures Sandra, and chases them. Wraith kills Jax on the way. Harper arrives at Jax’s house, only to find that his mother has been killed and Jax has been controlling Wraith all along. Jax explains that everyone that died took the things that he wanted - attention, love, family, talent, etc. - for granted and needed to be punished. He inadvertently reveals that whoever summons Wraith holds control, and Harper performs the rite. She has Wraith kill Jax, then releases it back to the spirit realm. She reunites with her mother outside the house, newly appreciative of what she has. Back inside, an unknown person takes the book.