Heistin's father was a soldier killed in Iraq. Now it's just him and his mom, a Gold Star family, living on the edge of a swamp. Since Mom must work, Heistin stays home by himself a lot. Between his chores and his comic books, he's usually not too afraid. Until one night he hears a loud noise and someone jiggles the doorknob.
When Heistin peeks out the window and sees a huge, hairy, man-ape, he panics and calls his best friend, Jax. Jax's grandfather comes along to help figure out what happened and he tells the boys about a creature called Bigfoot who years ago rescued a local soldier from a hunter's trap. Heistin wonders if it really could be Bigfoot!
Day after day Bigfoot returns and worms his way slowly into Heistin's life. Knowing no one will believe him, Heistin struggles to keep Bigfoot a secret from his mom and his best friend.
But one day everything changes. A hunter shows up on the edge of the swamp. And he wants to prove Bigfoot exists. Matters get worse when Heistin's mom loses her job, and they may be forced to move. Needing to warn Bigfoot of the hunter, Heistin conquers his fear and enters the ominous swamp. The gentle man-ape then introduces Heistin to his world, filled with insects, birds, and alligators.
Knowing he needs to return home soon, Heistin asks Bigfoot if he will ever see him again. The man-ape replies with a special word shared by Heistin and his dad. The mystery of why Bigfoot keeps an eye on Heistin and his mom is solved--Bigfoot had saved Heistin's dad from a hunter's trap years ago and had befriended the injured soldier. Bigfoot now wants to keep an eye out and protect the soldier's wife and son.