From a project initiated in the year 2023, "The Past Captures Us Forever" is a collection of nine stories selected over time, where one agent is contracted every twenty years to select a story of social relevance or a story of interest that might otherwise never be made public. Nine stories chosen, ending in the year 2202.
One of these stories takes place in a world where fear and desperation dictate society's actions, as Mark Tillinger plunges readers into a chilling reality at the beginning of the 22nd century and the plight of David Trammel, an author who inadvertently predicts societal collapse in his satirical novel, "The Murderers' Pit," and finds himself at the center of a dystopian nightmare. As the lines between fiction and reality blur, David's book becomes a haunting prophecy, foretelling a blackout that sends society into chaos and transforms his work into a terrifying blueprint for survival.
In the wake of the catastrophic blackout of 2103, crime skyrockets and public fears reach unprecedented heights. David's novel, initially seen as a darkly humorous take on societal violence, is reinterpreted as serious commentary and predictive, leading to unforeseen and chilling consequences. With the blackout serving as a catalyst for widespread violence and lawlessness, David must grapple with the ramifications of his writing and the use of his ideas as the solution for a society teetering on the edge of collapse.
Mark Tillinger weaves a compelling narrative that explores themes of fear, survival, and the unintended power of the written word. As David Trammel navigates a world where his fiction becomes reality, readers are invited to ponder the complex interplay between art and life, and the ways in which stories can shape our understanding of the world around us.
"The Murderers' Pit" is just one of the nine stories included in this anthology. Other titles include, "Forged and Framed," "A Dream Business," "The Invasion of Brazil," "The Watchmaker's Family," and more.
"The Past Captures Us Forever" is a series of gripping, thought-provoking tales that will captivate fans of future realism and speculative literature.
