Miles Traumer drowned. It's true he was rescued, but drowning is drowning, not that he would ever tell a soul. Young Longghost observed it all. In his teens, "shredding" with the Mo'reapy Raiders, his surfer crew, Longghost had a reputation--he was dangerous to be around. But he had something. Years later, out of the blue, Miles runs into Longghost in Pierce, Arizona. After a few visits to his ranch, Calabooza, he knows for sure there's something he can't avoid, even if he avoids him. Miles also encounters Will Marvel, keeper of a Blue Moon Butterfly habitat at the Laughing Jesus Tepee. Although the playful fluttering is dazzling at first, Miles learns the butterflies, infected with a parasite, have saved themselves with a savior gene. Marvel calls this "a stranger in the wings." Back at Miles' place in Lonesome Valley, fellowship and the "whole mend" are in the air, at least that's what Longghost dares him to recognize. Miles, however, suspects an unknown secret is about to be revealed. He recalls what surfer Miki Dora once said, "A real secret will get you dead."