The novel revolves around a schoolteacher who awakens from a coma with the extraordinary ability to see into the past and future of individuals he touches, a power that comes with heavy burdens and moral dilemmas. As he grapples with his newfound gift, he becomes increasingly disturbed by a vision involving an ambitious and dangerous politician. The teacher must decide whether to take drastic action to prevent the apocalyptic future he foresees, questioning the ethics of fate and free will, and whether it is ever justifiable to take one life to save many.

The novel follows Ralph Roberts, an elderly man in Derry, Maine, who begins to suffer from severe insomnia following the death of his wife. As his sleeplessness worsens, Ralph starts to perceive strange auras around people and witnesses bizarre, supernatural events. He discovers that he has been drawn into a cosmic battle between forces of good and evil, with the fate of a young boy and the world hanging in the balance. As Ralph navigates this surreal and dangerous landscape, he must confront his own fears and limitations to prevent a catastrophic event, exploring themes of mortality, destiny, and the interconnectedness of life.