Esther is a very shy sensitive little adopted girl, and Kate is a former alcoholic mother who cannot take proper care of her children, or are they? These are the most likable characters in this psychological thriller, for Kate is a survivor who can see the danger coming and will do whatever is necessary to protect her children, and Esther is a most conniving, disturbed and fascinating girl, who tries to make sure everyone around her gets what, in her mind, they deserve, in order for her to survive.