Newly arrived at Spells Meadow, England, and still grieving his mother's disappearance, 17-year-old Cody discovers an old key near an enormous hedge that changes his life forever. Instead of tossing it away, he and his friend Newt unwittingly activate an ancient curse that awakens a griffin which almost destroys them. Following their near escape, a series of disturbing incidents follow over which Cody has no control. Mr Babu, the sinister school janitor, warns him not to venture near the hedge for his own safety. When graffiti is sprayed on the school amenities block and the empty paint cans mysteriously fall out of Cody's locker, days of detention follow. Tensions mount when his principal, Trithene Fraiy, accuses him of slashing her car tyres. She even produces incriminating photos of someone wearing his hoodie in the very act of vandalism. Someone is out to get him and this time everyone is mad at him, including his father.An internal struggle ensues where Cody suspects an elaborate cover-up of something even more sinister occurring at Spells Meadow, a cover-up involving the principal.