vaporization
1952. Two years since linguist Francis Fairfax arrived on Gersom, the largest island in an archipelago that has intrigued researchers for decades, from its anomalistic appearance in the middle of Atlantic to its inexplicably well-preserved artifacts. Two years since the storms began, keeping anyone from going, and anyone from coming. The sea tempts a permanent escape, and Francis has all but given up his work finishing a translation of a Gersomish epic that his grandfather began.
Then in washes Peter, a native of Gersom. His arrival is as mysterious as his homeland, and unpredictable as the weather. Despite Francis' antisocial nature, he is the only one who can talk to Peter, and thus the one expected to house him. As another unbearable winter befalls the island, Francis discovers that Peter may be the key to understanding the epic, himself, and, perhaps, escape.