Charlotte Castang is a working-class 13-year-old girl, who lives in a drab, run-down neighbourhood, and is ready to become an adult. Her mother died giving birth to her, and she lives with her crass brother and a father whose attention is elsewhere. Her only friend is Lulu, a sick 10-year-old she regards as a pest. Charlotte is antisocial, bored and dreams of a better life. Her life improves when she meets Clara Bauman, a pianist prodigy.

An established dystopian sport has drivers of a computerized truck driving cross-country to a terminus. The lead truck, created by a boy genius, is driven by a woman. When the computer guidance system fails, she ends up in uncharted territories and encounters leather-clad hoods who torture her. Meanwhile, a mysterious doctor seems to have another plan in mind.