Wither

In a future where science has unlocked the secret to longevity, yet simultaneously engineered devastating flaws in the human genome, Rhine Ellery's life is marked by an impending expiration date. As a result of genetic experimentation, she faces a grim reality: at just sixteen, she has only four years left to live. This haunting knowledge shapes her existence, driving home the stark contrast between youth and mortality in a world obsessed with the pursuit of everlasting life.

Rhine’s journey begins when she is abducted and thrust into a world that glamourizes a lavish lifestyle but conceals the dark truths of a society built on genetic manipulation. Taken to a lavish mansion, she is trapped in a life of luxury surrounded by others who share her same fate, all while planning her escape. The relationships she forges in this world—from love to betrayal—become intricate threads in the tapestry of her fight for freedom.

As time ticks away and the reality of her situation looms ever closer, Rhine wrestles with the choice between acceptance and rebellion. Her struggle is not just against her captors but also against the inescapable reality of her own mortality. The narrative unfolds against this backdrop, weaving themes of love, loss, and the quest for autonomy in a world that has effectively robbed her of it.