In the quiet suburb of Willow Creek, 12-year-old best friends Alex and Jordan notice something off about their new neighbor, Mr. Harlan, an elderly man who rarely leaves his house but receives mysterious late-night deliveries. When Alex's family dog goes missing one evening, the kids spot paw prints leading toward Harlan's overgrown backyard, sparking their suspicion. Teaming up with their classmate Sara, a budding journalist with a knack for research, they start investigating.