Luke Ellis's parents were suddenly murdered one day, and he was abducted and imprisoned in a place called The Institute. His new room resembled his old home, but it had no windows, and beyond its door lay nothing but the doors to other rooms. The children held here all possessed special abilities, such as telekinesis and telepathy. The Institute ruthlessly extracts these powers from the children, subjecting them to brutal punishments if they resist. Luke desperately wants to escape The Institute, though no one has ever succeeded.