Dark Evolution: A Survival Thriller

Book 2: Edge of Ruin

by Jonathan Yanez

Synopsis

The darkness infecting mankind has been given a name, The Dread.

It's been a year and a half since Taylor Hart and her companions fled Los Angeles, desperate to escape the infection unleashed by the drug Vanidrum, which causes bloodthirsty madness in its hosts. The survivors found refuge in a hidden Lazarus Pharmaceutical base in Alaska, codenamed The Ark, but it isn't long before the grisly army of the infected finds them.

Now, Dread Lieutenants are appearing, men and women chosen by the darkness and given horrifying special abilities. As civilization continues to erode around them, their only hope is to reach The Vault, where the last known transmission from the outside world originated...

As they journey through wastelands and towns overrun by creatures of The Dread, Taylor's power begins to evolve and she receives visions from a being who calls itself The Messenger. The visions hint that one of her companions holds a secret that could release the world from the horrors of the infection if Taylor can manage to keep her safe. When betrayal sells them into the hands of their enemies, Taylor must protect their only hope of salvation, or join the dark evolution.

For those who enjoy, AG Riddle's Atlantis Gene, Justin Cronin's The Passage or Max Brook's World War Z this one was written for you.

Release date: April 1, 2021

Publisher: Archimedes Books

Print pages: 225

Sample

“She needs you! Right now. She’s alone, fighting them all by herself, and she needs your help!”

Cidney looked at the remaining defenders inside the Lazarus outpost with tears of frustration. She knew they would dismiss anything she had to say due to her age. What did a child know about the world and sacrifice? Cidney knew it better than most. Losing her father to the spreading darkness was a moment in her young life that she would look back on forever. 

“She’ll be fine,” a young woman named Melissa told Cidney from the crowd. “She’s always beaten them back. Hundreds of times now. She’ll do it again.”

From her vantage point on the top of the wall Cidney could see Taylor battling the mass of infected humans that came to their doorstep every day. Somehow Cidney knew this time was different. Instead of attacking Taylor in one massive onslaught the hordes of infected were rushing her in what appeared to be strategic groups. Never more than a few at a time they assaulted Taylor from all angles, trying to catch her off guard. 

To Taylor’s credit she was holding her own. How long she would be able to defend the Ark’s gates was another question entirely. Already this offensive had been going on hours longer than any before. Cidney knew her friend well enough to tell when Taylor was beginning to tire. Her moves weren’t as sharp, her motions not as quick.

“Look at her,” Cidney pleaded, “she’s out there alone. We have to stand with her. She’s fighting for us all. We have to help.”

The same woman who had voiced her opinion before did so again. “How are we going to help her? Captain Martin collected the few remaining bullets we have for an emergency. You want us to use our rifles as clubs?”

This time Cidney zeroed in on the speaker. Melissa was Wade Treadstone’s personal assistant. She wasn’t a bad person, right now she was a scared person. Cidney could see that reflected in the woman’s eyes.

“We use our rifles like hammers or our fists if we have to,” another voice said. 

Cidney exhaled in relief. She recognized the voice and she knew with it, help would be on its way. 

“Sorry we took so long,” Frank said, running up the stairs to meet the group. Jason was behind him. As two close friends of Taylor’s, Cidney knew at least they would make an effort to help. Whether their effort would be enough to save the tiring Taylor was another question that would have to wait to be answered.