Event Horizon Syndrome follows the crew of the deep-space research vessel Orion's Edge as they embark on a routine mission to study a nearby black hole. Initially, their goal is scientific: to investigate the mysterious phenomenon of the Schwarzschild radius, where time and space begin to distort. However, as they approach the black hole, the crew begins to experience inexplicable memory lapses.
At first, the lapses are minor-forgotten tasks, misplaced thoughts-but soon they escalate into a more terrifying pattern. Crew members forget entire conversations, lose track of time, and even question the accuracy of their own memories. As trust begins to fray, the once-unified crew starts to unravel, each person battling to maintain a grip on reality. Amid this chaos, they begin to suspect that something far more sinister is at play, something beyond just the effects of isolation or stress.
The psychological strain, coupled with the cosmic anomaly of the black hole's gravity, creates an environment where the boundaries between memory, perception, and reality blur. As the crew fights to stay connected to their past, they realize that something-or someone-seems to be rewriting their very existence. In the face of cosmic forces beyond their control, the crew must confront the fragility of memory, trust, and their own minds before they lose everything-including themselves.
Event Horizon Syndrome explores themes of isolation, memory, trust, and the unknown, blending psychological tension with the awe-inspiring mystery of space. It's a tale of survival in the deepest corners of the universe, where the greatest threat may not be the black hole itself-but the unraveling of the mind.
A criminal mastermind makes a bold move against a wealthy client to put himself in a position to retire in comfort. He has no idea what he's up against when a young widow, desperate to make ends meet, sets her eyes on earning the bounty set on his head.
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Newly widowed housewife Melody Scott needs to earn some major cash, fast. When her bright and busy children learn that a priceless ruby bracelet has been stolen and a six-figure reward is being offered, they convince her to try to do what the police, museum security, and the best private investigators have failed to do. Working against them is a notorious thief who has met people from around the world, but who has never once encountered a woman like Melody Scott. When the sweet innocence of the Scott family clashes against criminal forces more dangerous than they ever imagined, Melody is all too aware that a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do to protect her family.
The Widow, Melody Scott is a 2021 Watty Award Winner!
Content Warning: This story does contain depictions of stalking behavior.