It begins in Alphabet City, NY. Elizabeth Nixon is taking her daughter Kiden, son Ty and 2 baby twins to see their father at the NYPD to surprise him for his birthday. Kiden's mom sneaks off to get him a cake, while Kiden convinces her dad to take her to the park. While there, a drive-by occurs and her father is shot and killed in front of her.

10 years later, Kiden is now 16 and her life has completely fallen apart. She's sitting on a toilet at an illegal rave and is about to drop ecstasy with her friend Kara. When she does, they go out and party the night away. And so NYX begins....

The next morning is a school day and Kiden is in bed. Kiden's mom's life has also fallen apart since the death of her husband. She has a go at Kiden and Kiden gets rude to her and storms off. When she gets to the kitchen, Ty asks if they enjoyed the rave and Kiden isn't really in the mood for talking to him either.

In the kitchen Elizabeth walks in and tells Kiden she's sorry and wishes they could sit down and talk normally. She walks off and Kiden goes through her mom's bag to see if she has any cigerettes. She doesn't. So Kiden goes to Ninos store when she manages to frame a man for stealing so she herself can steal some cigarettes.

At about 9am, she and Kara are in the school playground smoking while a boy named Hector and his gang bully a kid as he cant do sports. Kiden says about her mom wanting to do 'the talk' but Hector throws a ball at one of her breasts. They get in an argument and Kiden blows smoke in his face. He slaps her and she pulls his earring out making him bleed. Their teacher, Cameron Palmer, sends Kiden to the guidance counselor.

Upon returning to class, Kara expresses her concern to Kiden about them getting killed by Hectors gang. Kiden tells Kara not to worry but as they are walking in the hallway they are ambushed by Hector's gang. Kara gets attacked and wets herself and really gets hurt while Kiden is floored, face bleeding. At the height of her emotional peak she screams "STOP IT!" and time stops. She doesn't understand what's happening but she touches Hectors arm. It snaps and breaks.