Kyle lives with his mother and stepfather. His real father died a war hero while he was a baby. His Mother has stood between him and his abusive stepfather ever since, regularly taking beatings so that he does not have to. Kyle does not speak to anyone outside of the fantasy world he has created to escape the constant violence. Kyle spends most of his time isolated in his backyard where his mother puts him for protection. Out of loneliness Kyle creates an imaginary friend who distracts him from his miserable surroundings. The violence reaches a catastrophic climax. Kyle is parent-less and finds himself plunged into a world of police, social services and foster care where he finds comfort from a familiar face.