Schoolgirl Nicky Gore is doing her homework while her parents enjoy a quiet evening in front of the television. Suddenly they hear a strange noise in their heads which compels them to destroy all their electrical possessions. All across the country, people succumb to the violent rage against technology, and the streets become filled with angry mobs intent on overturning vehicles, smashing electrical machinery and destroying buildings.
Separated from her parents, Nicky meets a group of Sikhs and persuades them to let her join them. On their journey, the group is attacked by racists.
Nicky and the Sikhs settle at Brooker's Farm. They try to barter with people from a neighbouring village, whose head man dubs the Sikhs "the Devil’s Children".
Robbers have entered the village and taken all of the children hostage.
Nicky sets of in search of her aunt, while the farm is visited by a witch finder.
Nicky has been found guilty of witchcraft and is to be stoned to death in the morning.
The witch-finder and the villagers set off in pursuit of Nicky and Jonathan.
Nicky and Jonathon try to escape to sea but their boat is struck by lightning.
Nicky and Jonathon set off to investigate a mysterious power source on the other side of the mountains.
Nicky and Jonathon enter a cavern and uncover the cause of the unbalancing of the world.