In a world where death is no longer a mystery but a countdown—52 years, 7 months, 3 days, 14 hours, eleven minutes—humanity has learned exactly when it will die. Society reshaped itself around the ticking clock, until everything collapsed. Governments fell, violence erupted, and nuclear meltdowns carved a radioactive smile across America. The Nine Makers, a mysterious group claiming they can stop the clock, vanished after leaving only a cryptic poem and a trail of devastation. Juniper “Juice” Eustice was born into this fractured world, raised on old movies, survival skills, and stories of hope. But when her 15th birthday turns into a massacre and she becomes the only survivor, her quiet town turns into a haunting reminder of everything she's lost. Grief turns to purpose when Juice discovers what she believes is the first real clue to finding The Nine Makers—hidden inside a forgotten retail museum from the golden age of malls. Armed with determination, memories of her grandparents' bravery, and the remnants of a broken world, Juice sets out on a dangerous journey across the wasteland of America. If she succeeds, she may save humanity from its inevitable end. If she fails, time will run out—for everyone.
