Tal is beyond done with the living and the dead.
The former stalk him for supplies and whatever else they can steal, while the latter demand he acknowledges their ghostly existence and helps solve their problems. He understands why, of course—most people can only see ghosts, and he's one of the rare few who can interact with them. Still, both groups continue fucking him over and at this point all he wants is an island. The hope is to find a place not far from a trading town, but secluded enough ghosts won't bother him and anything still breathing won't think him worth the effort to track.

All his plan needs is a better map of the area.
With his goal in sight, complications arise in the form of unwanted companions. First is Hope, a sheltered teen who doesn't understand caution in post-apocalyptic life. Intent on returning her to her family (whether or not she wants it), the two of them meet Anna, a doctor willing to give everything up for her ghostly sister Abby. Finally, the growing group is joined by a monk named Theodore as the older man returns to his university after completing an errand. As they travel together, Tal is slowly reminded of how bracing it is to have friends and family. Of how it feels being accepted and cared about.

He should have known better.
One by one his companions attract trouble, secrets are found out, and Tal ends up taking the brunt each time. Injured and weary in spirit (because dealing with people is EXHAUSTING), he puts his foot down and refuses to throw himself into danger to help strangers. Hell, already dead strangers at that. Taking this split as a sign for him to finally get the peace and quiet he's been longing for, he gathers supplies for his island home... only to realize too late that the price is not one he's willing to pay.

Has his stubbornness cost him his family? Or will a last minute suicide mission save at least one person?

Tags: found family, hurt/comfort, ghosts, I see dead people, cannibalism, violence, post-apocalypse health system, slow-burn (very slow, like 2nd book slow) polyamory, sweet Polly Oliver makes an appearance, bisexual Tal, bisexual Anna, violence, secrets

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