In a world where conformity is enforced and individuality is suppressed, Emily finds herself caught in a web of lies, deceit, and political hypocrisy. As a citizen who's seen her country deteriorate under the leadership of corrupt politicians, Emily is no stranger to the frustration and disillusionment that has plagued her nation for years. However, when she accidentally witnesses a crime that could expose the depths of the government's corruption, Emily becomes an unwitting participant in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
With the evidence she holds, Emily becomes the target of a relentless pursuit by the very people she has spent her life criticizing. The authorities are closing in, and soon, she finds herself facing interrogation by the same politicians whose incompetence and greed she has spoken out against for so long. They want to know everything she knows-about the country, its secrets, and her own involvement.
Now, Emily must grapple with the reality of her situation: is she a criminal in the eyes of the law, or is she simply someone who did what needed to be done for a greater cause? As the tension escalates and the line between right and wrong blurs, Emily must decide whether to stand her ground or risk losing everything she has fought for.
In this gripping tale of political intrigue, betrayal, and resistance, Emily's journey forces her to confront not only the broken system but also the people who uphold it-and herself.
Geoff and Naomi are dead, and they're depressed, but when Geoff's cat Bernie dies as well, they embark on a wild journey to find it in the underworld.
*****
When Geoff dies, alongside his girlfriend Naomi, they end up sharing an apartment in the Underworld as skeletons. But after a few years, Geoff starts suffering a mid-death crisis. What's the purpose of going through the motions as a skeleton if you can't really live? Then he gets word that his cat, Bernie, just died and he can collect him and bring him home! Geoff and Naomi hurry to get Bernie only to discover that, due to a clerical error, their cat has been lost. With the hunt for Bernie giving new purpose to Geoff's un-life, he and Naomi begin a quest to get back their cat. Battling skeleton pirates, climbing the sky ladder and facing off against the villain who took Bernie, Geoff is determined to find his purpose - or die a second time trying!
[[2018 Wattys Winner - The Originals]]
[[word count: 30,000-40,000 words]]