In Southern New Hampshire there is a typical small NE town by the name of Colesville, at least typical until a family from Virginia relocates there to start a new life. Recently married, Tom and Jean Phillips have moved to Colesville and applied for positions in the school system. Tom is hired as an elementary school teacher and Jean becomes the new student counselor at the high school. After months of getting settled into their new jobs and new house, Jean sends for her teenage son, Wayne Garrison, to join her and Tom. Since Jean has never been away from her son for more than a few days she is anxiously looking forward to having her family back together. Unfortunately, the day before Wayne's scheduled arrival, Jean dies in a horrible accident. In the three days following her death mysterious things begin to happen in the town of Colesville.