Meg is a gifted but emotionally scarred 18-year-old who finds solace in writing poetry. Mr. Auster, her English teacher, recognizes her talent and encourages her to enter a national poetry contest. As tension at home escalates and Meg struggles to find a way to get to the poetry finals in Florida, Auster's role in her life becomes increasingly complex.
Helen attracts the unwanted attention of the commander of her husband's new army base. Colonel Andrew Case arranges to have Helen's husband travel on base business so that he can force Helen to be his new plaything. Helen fights back.
A devious femme fatale steals her husband’s drug money and hides out in a small town where she meets the perfect dupe for her next scheme.
A police detective investigates the apparent serial killing of several children which is linked to an institutionalized, autistic child.
The clues to a young woman's death come together as the lives of seemingly unrelated women begin to intersect.