Should the World Fail to Fall Apart

From A. J. Payler, master of modern fiction behind Bank Error in Your Favor, The Killing Song, and Terror Next Door comes Should the World Fail to Fall Apart—six stories of people pushed beyond betrayal and forgiveness in a world without pity, personal struggle against overwhelming odds and unstoppable fear, and the resilience that resides at the center of the human heart. Featuring: "An Abyss Below Every Floor": Peering into another universe... what could go wrong? Years of research… decades of study… and it's all led up to this. The greatest moment of researcher Roland Ohtani's professional career is at hand... but even with the eyes of the world upon him and the backing of the world's most powerful billionaire, he never could have predicted the horrific truth that lies at the heart of everything. "Spoilers on Page Thirteen": Don't dare skip ahead… the spoilers will come for you soon enough! Unemployment can make a person desperate… so desperate in their quest for the perfect position they might blow past all the red flags in the world. But when the most promising job opportunity that's come Jamie Okuda's way in months may be far more sinister than it seems, will he be able to make the grade—or will the spoilers on the next page ruin it for him? "Ma Always Said Redheads Were Trouble": 'I always knew a redhead would be the death of me one day!' Mick MacFinn makes bad choices and blames bad luck when his life goes wrong. A failure as a mob enforcer and petty criminal, Finn's ended up on the run, burdened with cold-manipulation powers that might give him an edge—or it would, if he really knew how to use them. Virginia Ann Davenport is a captain of industry, an icon of success, and the highly-trained wielder of heat-manipulation powers that give her a leg up on her competitors. An international mystery woman at the top of her game, Virginia has a plan to boost her power to new levels. Unfortunately, to pull it off she needs Mick's help. And that's where things start to go wrong… "Buried, Frozen": What's buried beneath the frozen ground… will change his world forever. The only thing that made those seemingly unending days in prison bearable was knowing what was waiting for him on the outside, buried deep in the frozen ground where she'd sworn to leave his share of the loot. And after years of isolation, all he has to do is dig it up, rejoin her, and get back to the life that's rightfully his. But even the best laid plans oft go awry. And sure, they'd never claimed to be the best of the best, but still… he never could have imagined what he'd find waiting for him, cold and dark at the bottom of that hole. "Dry Eye Syndrome": Some weaknesses even a hero can never overcome. Midland City's resident superhero Quickness can fight off his nemesis Doctor Oto all day and night... but his ultimate vulnerability might finally prove to be his all too human heart. A story of heroes, villains, and the choices we all have to make in life. Also featuring "You Are the Protagonist"(as seen in Flash in a Flash) and the rare original comic book script version of "Dry Eye Syndrome"!