Runaway Fever is a humorous tale of self-discovery from the eyes of a sixteen-year-old girl. Taking place in an English town, Sophie Kent lives an unhappy life with her alcoholic and abusive Aunt Louisa. Her only comfort is her stubborn and shaggy dog, Ralph, the only thing she will miss. The story begins when Sophie officially decides to leave her aunt on the last day of school before summer vacation. She wants to go somewhere else, finish her high school education, and find hope, something that she has never been acquainted with. Sophie remembers several moments from her past as she is attending the last day at Wellville High School, and leaves the popularity-based school for the "lonely road." The road is sort of a path to hope, though she is unprepared for what is ahead. She thinks of going to an orphanage, but then again, she admits it is not a permanent destination. The road leaves off too numerous places and people, each having a different influence upon Sophie. The only things she becomes hesitant about is staying in one place after she spent so many years stuck in a dreary lifestyle and accepting that happiness really exists.