20 years since the last sunrise,
a symbol of hope resurfaces
in the vast wastelands of Earth.

Arun Owondo is a scavenger, though not by choice and not for long. A band of reclusive Hillfolk have imprisoned him for wearing their prized possession: a pair of gloves that can wield cosmic dark energy.

If Arun is innocent, they’ll need his help. The Hillfolk must embark on finding a lost companion and overthrowing the self-proclaimed God who destroyed the world, leaving it shrouded, frozen in a timeless time.

But whilst their bodies begin one journey...

...their minds begin another.

I'll be waiting for you...

Sign up for free content and updates

Thank you for supporting me on my sci-fi journey, and in helping replenish the blood, sweat, and tears that poured into this book.
Adam

A.T. Southorn

Adam Thomas Southorn began life in Hertfordshire, UK before moving to London.

A keen programmer, astronomer, and short-story writer, he has brought his imagination to life in the first of a science-fiction trilogy.

A.T. Southorn
Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017 Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017
Chapter One

The Prisoner

Being a prisoner had its perks. Arun sat unattended in the middle of a rotting hut, sturdy enough to shield him from the rain, thunder, and cold winds that plagued the longlight months. He twiddled his naked thumbs on a creaking wooden chair, mindful that his captors had taken his gloves along with his books and pocket scope. His scope would have once peered into the sun and the stars—mythical bodies hidden beyond the clouds. It was now resigned to spotting rival scavengers from afar; not much use in a windowless hut.

A door stood closed, straight ahead, only brought to light by dim rays spread through the hut from the slits high in the slatted walls. To Arun’s right: a mountain of unlit candles, symmetrically arranged. To his left: a bed. It’d been years since he’d last seen one, let alone lay in one. His ears could only capture the same sound he’d heard since waking—rain pattering against the hut and dripping through a crack in the corner. He was surely far from any town and anyone he knew.

Arun couldn’t remember a single face from his last moments as a free man wandering the fields. There were no chains nor rope around him, but scavengers would always bind, so the hut must have belonged to reclusive Hillfolk or fearless Hunters—bone-crunching cannibals that strayed in and out of town. Either way, it wouldn’t be a fair fight, and a wry smile lifted on one side of Arun’s face.

Knock, knock, knock—and the peace was shattered.

Arun’s thoughts dispersed. Three knocks broke the spitting rain, echoing through the hut with no time in between. Showtime. He crunched his knuckles and fingers back and readied himself for yet another fight.

Download preview | Buy eBook | Buy paperback
Curious one, aren't you...
Want to know what's behind the door?

Sign up for free content and updates

To those whom I am grateful
Ksenia Timofejeva, Amar and James Southorn, Andy Hauser, Amanda Rutter, Mark Thomas, Ricardo Hamilton, Tim Corrigan, Aisling Rice, Daniel Duckling, Abigail Ted, Emily Wright, Nikki Boccelli-Saltsman, and Joshua Powell.