Youngsters Abby and Brian decided to spend the afternoon riding their bikes to the Speedee-Mart and buying a few treats. However, plans strangely went awry. First, Abby talked Brian into taking along Babs, his six-month-old golden retriever. Without asking permission, Brian put his best leash on Babs and off they went. Abby then wanted to stop and ask Shelly to join them. Shelly agreed, but suggested that they take the short-cut through the woods. That is where things went off-track. Along the way, Babs got loose and led them on a merry chase. Up a big hill to a tall chain-link fence. Then, under the fence and into a huge, abandoned old nursing home. They searched high and low but could not find Babs. What they did find was a torn portion of a spooky chain letter-with spidery words elegantly penned on yellowed paper edged in black. This was unlike any chain letter they had ever seen. The letter plainly stated: Whosoever possesseth this letter and dares to break this chain shall suffer disaster and death . . . It had the feel of pure evil. That night, Brian and Shelly decided to go back and look for the dog. Things got even worse when Shelly also disappeared! Over the next few weeks, Abby, Brian and their family and friend's lives came to revolve around that letter. Would they know who had broken the chain letter by who had died? Abby and Brian slowly became obsessed with finding the torn-off portion of the chain letter and learning what is supposed to happen to those who break the chain.