The world around Graxton was a world of woods and lakes, brooding mountains, and quiet valleys; a country apart from the great urban centers, the bustling pace of metropolitan life that seemed to rule so much of modern society. Time stood still in Graxton. People and events were little changed over the last century until Paul Vandrak came home. Vandrak had walked out on a promising career as a government scientist, carrying a secret so terrible that it meant death to those he loved most. He had come home to die, and it looked like his beautiful home town would die with him.