Craig Gilner is a 15 year old boy living in Manhattan with his mom, dad and little sister Sarah. He suffers from depression and meets with his shrink, Dr. Minerva regularly. Craig tells her about the "tentacles" in his life and the "anchors". The evil tasks that invade his life are what Craig call his tentacles. Anchors are the opposite, tasks occupying his mind that cause temporary happiness. Craig becomes stressed with school work and expectations and this worsens his depression.