A handful of students and parents watch a high school academic decathlon practice session. Six smart kids are on stage, and all are vying to be the school representative for the state competition. The kids are clearly all brilliant, but Pierce stands out beyond the others as the true star. His overbearing mother watches on attentively, cringing every time Pierce missteps. After the competition, Brandon, Jenny, Pierce and Stan head out to the local diner to grab a bite to eat; even though they're competitors, they're still friends after all. But on his walk home, Brandon gets viciously attacked by an unknown creature!