In the speculative fiction thriller Contrivance, the Earth's core is dying, leading to global chaos as humanity rushes to evacuate survivors to Mars. The narrative chronicles catastrophic events—devastating tornados in Alaska, volcanic eruptions in Maine, and rising seas engulfing islands—reducing the population dramatically. The story follows five distinct characters from around the world, each driven by a desperate will to survive amidst societal collapse characterized by riots, deadly viruses, and dwindling resources. As they confront the reality of their crumbling planet, they must navigate physical dangers and the emotional pain of leaving loved ones behind. A powerful mid-story reveal forces them to reassess their choices and the cost of survival. Contrivance delves into themes of resilience, the human spirit, and the sacrifices made in dire situations, highlighting that while some may escape Earth’s fate, many will face unimaginable suffering. This gripping tale, release on October 1, 2024, challenges readers to contemplate the harrowing 'what if' of humanity’s struggle for survival in the face of impending doom.
The sun was setting on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the water. The sky was painted in shades of orange, pink, and purple, creating a picturesque scene. The gentle waves lapped against the boat, and the sound of the wind in the sails added to the peaceful atmosphere. South Padre Island was visible in the distance, its sandy beaches and palm trees contrasting with the water. As night fell, the stars began to twinkle in the sky, making the island an ideal setting for a romantic evening or a relaxing getaway.
David and Jennifer sat on the sailboat, exhausted from their long journey from Central America. They had embarked on the trip hoping to reconnect and strengthen their relationship. However, despite the beautiful surroundings and the sense of adventure, there was palpable tension between them. Both were lost in thought, and a quiet unease lingered between them. It was clear that the issues in their relationship had not been fully resolved, and the trip had not provided the healing experience they had hoped for.
As they watched the sunset and felt the cool breeze, they couldn't help but reflect on the challenges they had faced as a couple. They both knew unresolved issues needed to be addressed, but neither seemed willing to initiate the conversation. The silence between them spoke volumes, and it was evident that their relationship was not in a good place. Despite this, they still cared deeply for each other and hoped to find a way to work through their problems and emerge stronger on the other side.
As David and Jennifer approached the pier, they heard the growing chatter from nearby televisions. The story on the screens became clearer as they got closer: it was a news broadcast describing riots happening worldwide. David and Jennifer were shocked and worried as they listened to the details of the violence and destruction taking place in various cities.
After quickly tying up their boat, they made their way over to a nearby sailboat, where an older man was sitting on his deck. They introduced themselves and learned his name was George. The couple asked if he had any more information about the riots. George told them that the riots had been sparked by the construction of large structures. He mentioned that the government was struggling to contain the situation and that many people were calling for martial law.
"From what I understand, some residents are concerned about the impact these structures will have on the local environment and property values," George said, his eyes fixed on the television.
David, while securing the boat to the pier, remarked, "It seems like people will riot over anything these days. They’re always looking for something to be upset about."
George nodded slowly. "I get where you're coming from, partner. It does seem like they're quick to resort to violence and destruction."
David paused and turned to George, emphasizing his point. "Exactly. They’re causing damage and putting people in danger, and I don’t see how that’s accomplishing anything positive."
Jennifer, still cleaning the deck of the sailboat, softly interjected, "Not all protesters are the same, though. It’s easy to generalize and assume they’re all violent, but that’s not always the case."
David shot her a quick, somewhat disgusted glance. "You think violence is an acceptable way to bring about change? People are getting hurt, property is being damaged—that’s not an effective solution."
Jennifer shrugged slightly, shaking her head. "I just think we don’t know the whole story. We shouldn’t rush to judgment, but that’s what we seem to do these days."
No further words were spoken about the riots as they continued with their tasks.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of Kananga, a city in the Republic of Congo, there was a small bar tucked away within the city. The bar was unremarkable, with a simple sign hanging above the entrance. Inside, the atmosphere was subdued, with only a few patrons seated at the counter, their eyes fixed on the television in the corner. The news on the screen showed riots taking place around the world, and the patrons watched with a mix of concern and sadness. The bar, usually lively and filled with laughter, was eerily quiet as the patrons absorbed the events on the television. The bartender stood behind the counter, absently wiping glasses as he watched the news with the others. The riots seemed to hit close to home for the patrons, who shared a sense of unease as they witnessed the destruction and violence happening globally.
Dafari sat at the bar, nursing a cold drink as he took in the reactions and conversations of the other patrons. He could sense the tension in the air as everyone watched the television with mixed expressions. The riots seemed to dampen the spirits of many patrons as they shared stories and concerns about the impact the riots would have. Dafari listened as one patron spoke of a story he had read about someone living in one of the affected areas, describing how the situation differed from past riots. Another patron lamented the destruction of businesses and homes and the impact it would have on the world economy.
Dafari couldn't help but feel tense as he listened to the conversations around him. The images of the riots on the television were a stark reminder of the world's volatility and uncertainty. As the patrons began to disperse and the bar emptied, he finished his drink and headed out into the streets of Kananga, preoccupied with thoughts of the riot images and the feeling that something didn’t add up. Dafari couldn’t wrap his mind around how the scenes from around the world all seemed to involve the same issue with identical consequences. The walk home to his apartment felt shorter than usual, mainly because his mind was so preoccupied.
Dafari entered his apartment feeling the weight of the conversations and reactions he had heard at the bar still heavy on his mind. He threw his keys onto the table in the entryway and made his way to the living room. He clicked on the television, and the same images of the riots he had seen at the bar appeared on the screen. He sat down on the couch, feeling a sense of helplessness as he watched the destruction and violence unfold. He couldn’t help but think about the people affected by the riots and wondered what the conclusion would be. He made a mental note to reach out to any friends or family he might have in the affected areas to check on their safety.
As Dafari sat on his couch, watching the riots unfold on the television, his thoughts turned to his family. He worried about their safety and well-being and made a mental note to call them tomorrow to check in. He also thought about his good friend David from the United States. They had met years ago while studying abroad and had stayed in touch ever since. Dafari wondered how David might be reacting to the riots and if he had heard about them. He concluded that he needed to reach out to David and see if he was okay. The thought of his family and friend, far away and potentially affected by the same riots he was watching on the screen, made him wonder if there wasn’t something more to these events.
Dafari pulled his tablet from the table and studied the map of the riots. He noticed that all the riot locations appeared to be in remote areas close to major metropolises. As he canvassed the maps, he checked the time on his phone and saw that it was well past midnight. He knew he had a long day ahead of him at work and needed to get some rest. Dafari closed his tablet, reminding himself to continue researching the riots in more depth tomorrow. He walked to his bedroom, getting ready for bed, his mind still heavy with thoughts of the riots and the people affected by them.
The sky over Russia remained shrouded in darkness, as the sun had yet to make its ascent above the horizon. In the almost pitch-black apartment, a cell phone buzzed, its screen glowing with a bright notification. Groggily, Khristina reached over to her nightstand and picked up her phone. She squinted at the screen, trying to make out the message that had just come through. As she read it, her grogginess quickly dissipated, replaced by anxiety. She was usually in tune with current affairs, as her social media presence and career required it. She took a deep breath and made up her mind to get up and figure this out.
Khristina slowly and quietly slid out of bed and made her way to a lounge chair in the bedroom. The moonlight shone brightly onto her arms and hands as she attentively read the notifications about rioting near Novosibirsk, a city in southern Siberia, Russia. Khristina sat, thinking about how and why Novosibirsk had erupted, as it wasn’t known for controversial news. The phone continued to roll nonstop notifications, and now warnings appeared, advising people to stay away from Novosibirsk. "Oh crap," Khristina muttered as the weight of what was happening hit her.
"What's wrong?" Tatiana asked, her voice heavy with sleep as she crept toward Khristina.
"There’s rioting in Novosibirsk. I'm trying to figure out what's going on," Khristina replied, shaking her head while slowly raising her eyes toward Tatiana.
Khristina sat at her kitchen table, having been up for a while now, deep in thought about the riots happening in Novosibirsk. She couldn’t help but wonder why these violent outbursts were occurring in seemingly prosperous and affluent areas. She had heard the news of looting and destruction in high-end retail districts and upscale neighborhoods, and it didn’t make sense to her.
Khristina began to consider whether there were underlying issues driving these actions, such as inequality and systemic injustice. She knew the problem had historically been complex and multifaceted, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something needed to change. She became determined to use her social media network to make sense of everything.
Tatiana stood in the foyer, ready to leave, and looked warily at Khristina with a concerned expression. “Are you going to sit there all morning, just watching this unfold on your phone?”
“I need to figure this out and reach out to some of my contacts. Something’s going on here, and I have a strong feeling this is just the beginning of something much bigger.” Khristina shot back at Tatiana with a bit of determination.
Tatiana rolled her eyes. “You’re probably right. Anyway, I’m off to work.”
“I’ll keep you posted,” Khristina replied as she focused on a new notification.