Brought to his knees, all things gone and seeming desolate, 19 year old child-abuse victim Ben Gale will form a relationship with fellow university student Tobey McLay, one that brings Ben back from the brink of suicide. It's a powerful love that he will protect at all costs, but, during the hottest summer on record, someone will come to shatter their bliss and reveal a deadly anger in Ben that he's tried for so long to fight. They will all burn, and some will fade to ash before the quenching rains come again.