Sticks and Stones

Recently released from prison, Rex Jordan's estranged father hammers on the door in the middle of the night, setting off a series of events that leave Rex's life in turmoil. Rex lives in the rural town of Stokley, where he faces constant bullying and cruelty at school, and must protect his younger brother from their alcoholic mother at home. His only refuge is a secluded clearing in the woods, accessible only through a boulder-covered entrance. Rex has always kept this place to himself, but after meeting a new student with whom he can connect, he shares his secret sanctuary for the first time. Meanwhile, the town is grappling with the disappearance of a fellow student, Clare, and the oppressive behavior of its bullies. As Rex struggles to cope with the chaos around him, he must also confront the truth and question his own mental stability.