Kat Dueschner never admires her heavenly-minded mother and wants to grow up just the opposite; an adventurer rather than a nurturing mom. She frequently gets into mischief. While with her companion, Juan, on a nighttime adventure to build an "Easter fire" in the hills, Kat is bit by a rattlesnake. Although her mother is leery of the forest, she becomes Kat's rescuer, but then befalls her own tragedy. Consequently, Kat and Juan's perspectives and ambitions change, almost in opposite directions.