Julian Winters, a study companion, secretly investigates his family's massacre. He deliberately provokes Xavier Thorne to be watched. Xavier Thorne is cold and domineering. His deception is exposed when he shields Xavier. When the Thorne family is implicated, Julian asks to leave. Xavier burns his resignation letter, declaring, 'I recognize Julian Winters, not a study companion, not the orphan of a condemned official.' Their journey takes them from confinement to finding a home.