Cody Bookman just wants to keep his head down and get through high school. But when his older brother Garth brings home a fighting dog, Cody finds himself caught between protecting an innocent animal and staying out of his volatile brother's way. After Garth's desperate need for money leads to a violent crime, Cody realizes the dog isn't the only one in danger-and doing nothing is no longer an option.
What starts as one impulsive rescue quickly spirals into something much bigger. Soon Cody's managing a pregnant stray, a homeless classmate living in an abandoned building, and evidence of an underground dogfighting ring that could get him killed. With the help of his best friend Darius, the mysterious new kid Kessler, and Liesl-a girl who sees past his carefully constructed walls-Cody discovers that saving others might be the only way to save himself.
In a neighborhood where everyone's struggling to survive, where loyalty is complicated and family can hurt you, Cody must decide how far he'll go to do what's right. Because sometimes the bravest thing you can do is refuse to look away, even when the whole world tells you to mind your own business.