After a mysterious apocalyptic event, humanity fled Earth and reached the stars. In an effort to repopulate the human race, a space station the size of a moon was built, and now orbits Earth as its inhabitants wait and pray to one day go home, but, after a century, the network of society that once covered the planet has crumbled into ruin.
Now, exactly one hundred years after the original survivors fled Earth, the powers that be have decided to discover whether it is safe to come home. Twenty teenagers, all found to be in perfect health and completely strong, each with a particular set of skills that have been determined to be enough to rebuild and maintain a society, are being sent back, down to the Earth's surface, and, if they can survive a year and a day below, it might just be safe enough for the remnants of humanity to follow them home.
Among the unwitting teens are the genius scientist, Rooke, and the fighter, Evan. After her parents broke the law by contacting someone-or something-off the space station, Rooke was taken into the program without knowing why. After making the worst mistake of his life, Evan, too, finds himself paying for his crimes when he, like Rooke, finds himself on a spaceship, hurtling towards Earth,
Together, they, and eighteen others, all between the ages of twelve and eighteen, must find a way to survive on an inhospitable, alien planet that should have been their home. But, when it turns out they might not be alone, when bad things start happening, and when secrets come to light, survival might just come at too high a price to pay.
#campNaNoWriMo
guys please don't read this anymore lmao i write totally differently now💋
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In a future where humans are genetically modified -- 'altered' -- at the age of sixteen, the world has been, until now, a safe place. Without changing a person's personality, undergoing the Alteration perfects their appearance, IQ, and even their immunity to diseases. No human passes the age of sixteen without being Altered.
In the blink of an eye, things change.
An ominous message is sent out to all of those below the age of sixteen, providing precise instructions that suggest they flee. Simultaneously, a deadly virus starts to spread all about the world, attacking only the Altered -- every human over the age of sixteen. The virus eats at the modified human brain, and soon the Unaltered begin to realise that the Altered are losing their minds.
Home is no longer safe. Friends and family turn on one another, losing control of their own minds and bodies.
The Unaltered aren't safe. Even if the virus isn't attacking them, the ones with the virus are.
Set on a pristine, futuristic Earth, this is the apocalypse like you've never seen it before.
(Rated mature for graphic depictions of violence and mild language.)
Banner credit to @itsnothardtodreamx
1st Place winner in the 2020 Spring Awards!
Runner up in the 2020 Harmony Awards!
2nd place in the Belle Amé Awards 2020!
[This piece was originally for the Open Novella Contest 2020, but has now surpassed the length of a novella and is a novel.]