In a world ravaged by radiation and war, humanity clings to survival in fortified strongholds, while deadly ghouls with ruby hearts roam the wasteland. These rubies, the source of power and protection for the last human bastions, are as valuable as they are dangerous to obtain. But survival comes at a cost-where strength and strategy are the only way to fight, and the line between predator and prey is razor-thin. Welcome to a world where echoes of crimson blood fuel both hope and destruction.
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.
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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]]