Summary
In 1978, kidnappers and murderers, nicknamed "The Grabber", took to the streets of a Denver suburb. The Finney and Gwen Blake siblings live in the area with their alcoholic father. At school, Finney was often bullied and harassed. He befriended a classmate named Robin who defended the threat. A boy Finney knows Bruce is kidnapped by Grabber. Gwen, who had the same spiritual dreams as her stepmother, dreamed of Bruce being abducted. Investigators Wright and Miller interview Gwen at school, believing she has inside knowledge. She refused to help, but was still punished by her father for talking to investigators. Grabber soon catches Robin. A few days later, Grabber kidnaps Finney. He wakes up in a soundproof basement. On the wall is a disconnected black rotary phone. Finney later heard the phone ring and answered. Bruce's ghost tells Finney about a floor he can dismantle to dig a tunnel to escape. The Finney police search was unsuccessful. Grabber brings Finney food and leaves the door locked. Finney was tempted to steal out. Billy, another boy on the phone, calls and explains that this is a game that Grabber plays. He is waiting to punish Finney if he leaves the basement. Billy instructs him to use a rope to get out of the basement window. His attempt broke the barrier on the window sill, preventing him from climbing. Gwen dreams of Billy being kidnapped and putting her heart on her father. Wright and Miller talk to a stranger named Max who lives in the area with his brother. It is revealed that Finney is in Max's basement and Grabber is his brother. Finney spoke to another victim, Griffin, by phone. Griffin gives Finney a combination of locks and tells him that Grabber is asleep upstairs. Finney sneaks upstairs and unlocks the door, but Grabber tells him to escape. Finney was quickly captured.