The Nero virus didn't just raise the dead--it changed the living. Ran Lawson survived the catastrophic early days of the apocalypse with the help of new friends only to discover she was one of the many altered by the strange disease. When Nero first activated, it killed anyone with an injury more serious than a bruise, only adding to its mystery.

Six months later, Ran and other people with strange variations of the disease coursing through their veins are being targeted. Some remnants of the military, tasked with supporting the scientists whose research could be humanity's last hope, have been collecting test subjects whether they like it or not.

Ran has been a prisoner before. She knows the deep dread of the caged. And they are coming. For her and everyone like her.

Not even Ran knows if her mind can take confinement again, much less whether she can survive the experience. The one thing she will not do is ever give up. If necessary, she will make bad jokes right until the bitter end.