The book begins with Amari, a fifteen year old African girl, playing with her brother. Her tribe is visited by a group of white men who welcome them and celebrate their arrival with a party. However, during the event, the white men pull out their guns and kill the members of the tribe.
Amari is one of few who are kept alive and imprisoned. Here she meets Afi, an older woman who takes on a maternal role and informs Amari of all the horrors that will await her at the hands of her white slave owners.
Amari is then transported to a ship where they begin to make their journey across the sea. The prisoners are treated cruelly and hardly have any food to eat. Through willpower, Afi and Amari manage to survive their mistreatment.
During the night, the men rape the female slaves. Amari is taken by a white slaver, Bill, who shows a brief reprieve to her and teaches her English instead of forcing her to have sex. However, as the nights follow, Amari is raped numerous times. The story ends with Amari arriving at their location and being imprisoned again.
