Hide and Seeker

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying, mental illness, illness, and death.

Justin Vaughn, the 11-year-old protagonist, arrives at his friend Zee’s welcome-home party but hesitates outside because he’s nervous. Zee has been missing for about a year, and no one knows what happened to him. Nia, Justin’s other close friend, soon arrives with a gift for Zee.

Mrs. Murphy, Zee’s mother, greets them warmly and hugs Justin, which reminds him of his own mother. She died a little over a year ago, and he still struggles with grief. Mrs. Murphy looks stressed and has scratches on her arms. He also sees broken glass, scratches on the walls, and bolts on Zee’s door. Mrs. Murphy explains that Zee has been having nightmares and sleepwalking, so she added the bolts to keep him safe.

Justin and Nia join their friend Lyric in the backyard. They enjoy treats from an ice cream cart that Mrs. Murphy brought for the party. Every ice cream wrapper has a fun fact about hide-and-seek. A voice suddenly calls them “losers,” leaving Justin with a sense of bad luck.