Publisher's Synopsis
Mercy in a Broken World is a chilling and haunting tale set in a post-apocalyptic landscape where humanity has been pushed to the brink of extinction. The world has been shattered by a deadly and mysterious plague, leaving the once-thriving cities in ruin and the few remaining survivors locked in a desperate battle for survival. Amidst the destruction, the story follows Eliza, a woman who must confront the monstrous forces of this broken world, both human and supernatural, while seeking a sliver of mercy in a place where hope is a distant memory.
When the plague first began, it swept through the population with terrifying speed, killing millions and leaving the survivors to fend for themselves in a world where food, water, and shelter are scarce. But what should have been a simple, though catastrophic, virus soon evolved into something far worse. Those who survived the plague were changed-mutated into terrifying creatures, driven by an insatiable hunger for blood and flesh. These once-human beings, known as The Hunted, stalk the few remaining humans, attacking with a savagery that leaves nothing but carnage in their wake.
Eliza, a former nurse, finds herself among the dwindling number of survivors in a decimated town. As the world around her falls apart, she struggles to maintain her humanity. The once-kind, nurturing woman is now forced to harden her heart and take on the role of protector for a small group of survivors, including children, the elderly, and injured individuals. But in a world where every moment is filled with dread, the line between humanity and monstrosity becomes dangerously blurred.
As they make their way through the decimated remnants of civilization, Eliza discovers that the plague was not a random event but a dark, orchestrated plan by a malevolent force that lurks in the shadows. This ancient evil, a supernatural entity known only as The Wretched, has taken root in the heart of humanity's collapse. The Wretched feeds off fear and despair, and with every death and act of violence, it grows stronger. The more Eliza and her group fight to survive, the more they realize that their battle isn't just against the mutated creatures-their true enemy is this dark, almost god-like presence that manipulates them from the shadows, whispering in their minds and preying on their darkest fears.
In their journey, Eliza is forced to face the horrors of the plague's true origin: a twisted pact between a rogue sect of scientists and the dark forces that have long been whispered about in ancient legends. The scientists, in their desperate bid for power and immortality, sought to harness the very essence of death itself, unleashing a plague that would forever change the world. But they didn't anticipate the birth of The Wretched, a creature that now seeks to turn every living thing into its personal army of horrors. As the survivors face constant threats from the mutated, bloodthirsty creatures and the ever-looming presence of the supernatural, they begin to question if they can ever truly escape the hell they've found themselves in.
Eliza's only hope lies in a myth passed down by the few elders who survived the plague. There is a place-a sanctuary-rumored to hold a cure to the plague and a weapon capable of destroying The Wretched. But the journey to this mythical sanctuary is fraught with unimaginable dangers. Eliza must lead her group through forests full of terrifying creatures, crumbling towns where the remnants of humanity have turned into savage gangs, and dark, cursed landscapes that warp the very laws of nature. Along the way, they encounter other survivors who have been twisted by the world into something less than human, consumed by madness and desperation.
