H.I. Southwell’s Dead Tales

We are all of us Tyrants, of ourselves and of the world around us…

Peter Patterson has lived his whole life poor. Born poor, raised poor, and unless something changes, destined to die poor. A new job delivering packages into the desolate wilds of the planet's dusty wastes might be his only chance to escape his fate.

Deacon John has finally gotten exactly what he always wanted: a posting out in the real world, beyond the confines of Salt City. In the impossible town of Miracle Springs, he is to assist the eccentric Reverend Dan in ministering to the local congregation. Yet, all is not as it seems.

As their stories collide, in blood and misery, each will discover more about himself than any man or book could ever teach.

At the heart of it all, stands the enigmatic Mr Revel—a man even the dust won’t touch.

Intended as an entry in the January 2025 magazine competition, this futuristic Wild West-style story is told through the perspectives of two primary characters: Mr Peter Patterson and Deacon John. Read on as the former braves the many dangers of the dusty wastes of their world, including alien bugmen, relentless dust storms, and savage gangs, all while trying to uncover the mystery of Mr Revel. Learn how his tale intertwines with that of Deacon John, the newly appointed spiritual apprentice of Miracle Springs—the planet's sole source of freshwater—as he struggles to maintain his sanity in the presence of the renowned genius, Reverend Dan.

Themes:

Survival, Isolation, Class Divide, Identity and Purpose and Power and Control