Ashes of Trust

A terrible epidemic rapidly sweeps over the world. People literally go mad and attack their fellow humans—with the only goal of killing as many as possible. At the same time, the “infected,” as they call them, lose what little remains of their minds, stop feeling pain, and their bodies become many times stronger and faster. The authorities of every country are in shock, because the nature of this phenomenon is unclear, and the consequences are catastrophic. Anyone can lose their mind at any moment—no one can be trusted.

And it is precisely then that Tikhon, an office clerk drifting along with life—disappointed in it—decides to leave all the city’s benefits and move into the wilderness to live in a private house on his own land. He has no idea that a catastrophe is coming; he doesn’t know how to survive and really do anything with his hands. He’s a coward and can’t stand up for himself. And, of course, he doesn’t want to take responsibility for other people. But the madness unfolding around him gives the weak one single alternative to death: to change, to become stronger. Only in reality, changes don’t happen at the wave of a magic wand—and even if they do, not too quickly. The novel’s action develops slowly and consistently, with attention to details. Listen!