For what could be decades, he has known nothing but a windowless room, a locked door, and the man who keeps him there. Hope died a long time ago. Until the day a single maple leaf slipped through a small hole in the wall - reminding him that escape might be possible. After years of isolation, abuse, and the slow collapse of his mind, he must find the strength to challenge the walls around him - and the ones inside himself. This is a story about survival, the passage of time, and the quiet, unstoppable force of human will. Completed novel - 45,000 words.

In 2045, Psychwatch treats the mentally ill or cages them. Margo wants to bring empathy to every patient but a killer pushes her, and the system, to the limits ***** In a dark future, more than a third of the United States population suffers from mental illness and violent crime is on the rise. In response, Psychwatch is formed - an organization intended to combine mental healthcare and law enforcement - creating monitored areas and neglected ones known as the Psycho Slums. Margo Sandoval is the latest recruit to Psychwatch, bringing a new level of empathy to the controversial agency known for its unforgiving methods. Margo spends her days as an Empath treating everyone possible, until the arrival of a new serial killer upends her life and forces her to confront the evils of the human mind and the system that claims to be the solution.