The boundary between breaking and becoming is delicate.

From a young girl whose body must be wound up like a clockwork toy to a man's dedication and love for his terminally ill partner setting him on a dangerous gamble into Zone 0, this collection of stories examines guilt, grief, determination, and hope. Here, extraordinary moments of healing, acceptance, and letting go reshape us, revealing how we survive when "normal" no longer fits. That is, if we meet those moments appropriately.

Through lenses ranging from magical realism to science fiction, these tales reveal our darkness and capacity for renewal, offering a unique perspective from which we can view our own and others’ struggles with greater empathy.

This collection features stories ranging from 3400 to 9900 words, poems pulled from each story, and author commentaries.