Chapter 1

    The full moon illuminated the black void of night air. A strong wind blew across the ocean towards shore, cooling the black volcanic sand. Waves crashed against the jagged rocks; salty sea spray dissolved into the night air.

    In the soft moonlight, a boy stood, perched on a rock high above the sea. He stood motionless, gazing out across the water towards the small, desolate island. The rhythmic crashing of waves became hypnotic. As the boy watched, a strong flashlight beam cut through the dense, black, humid air. It flashed on and off for a minute and the boy watched intently, interpreting the series of dots and dashes.

    The light went out and a heavy darkness fell upon the island again. The boy, satisfied, scrambled up the rocks and disappeared into the unlit town of Erskine.