[WATTY WINNER 2021] The summer takes a turn for the worse when young filmmaker Dakota Black returns to his Washington hometown to co-produce a series with a premium television network, and the screenplay becomes a chilling reality. ***** Dakota Black isn't looking for fame. He isn't even responsible for submitting his short film that wins numerous awards at a prestigious film festival in New York City. He has his ex-girlfriend to thank for that. One year after skyrocketing to stardom, graduating high school, and moving to Los Angeles for film school, Dakota returns to his island hometown in Washington State to co-produce a drama series with a premium television network. But when the summer takes a dark turn as the series' screenplay becomes a chilling reality, Dakota and his splintered group of friends are pulled into an elaborate conspiracy that elicits fatal consequences. [[2021 Watty Winner - Mystery/Thriller & Wattpad Editors' Choice]]

The world as we know it ended 209 years ago. From a desert wasteland springs a single kingdom, ruled by a tyrannical King and trapped in an endless war against the shadowy desert warriors. As a desperate bid to save what remains of humanity, society has been split into two distinct classes, nicknamed the Court and the Commons. For an oppressed population on the brink of revolution, a common thief could be the last hope. Up until now, Kay has survived by her wits alone. Reckless and impulsive, wanted by the King's guard, Kay has become known as the Runner. Using the city's rooftops as her personal domain, she manages to keep one step ahead of the King with one hand buried in the purses of the courtiers. Driven by the plight of the commoners and the unjust death of her family, Kay seizes the chance to graduate from small-time thievery to full-scale rebellion. Her opportunity comes in the form of Will, a wealthy ex-soldier with a dark past. Plucked from the streets and thrown into the shimmering palace court, Kay must use her every strength to blend into a world where she doesn't belong, closer to the enemy than she ever thought she would be.