Eremition

'EREMITION' [(n.) The act of gradually fading from the lives of others, not out of malice but a desire for solitude or renewal.] The story follows Peter, a naïve young man still haunted by a traumatic childhood experience - witnessing a fire that engulfed his entire congregation during a church service. Seventeen years after the fire, Peter is an alcoholic adult prone to delusional paranoia (through no fault of his own; see below). Peter is about to inherit a fortune from his estranged Uncle Sydney, an inheritance he doesn't really want, happy to live a simple life in seclusion away from greed and power. He soon discovers though that his family, the Mosterds (Sydney's brother), are not who they seem. The Mosterds, led by the charismatic and manipulative Mossie (also Peter's uncle), are part of a secretive cult with sinister intentions. They use their influence to manipulate and control those around them, all while pursuing their own dark agenda. They would also be the main beneficiaries of Sydney's will, being next in line, should Peter die with Sydney now in a diabetic coma. As Peter is forced to delve deeper into his family's history, he uncovers a disturbing connection to a series of unexplained deaths and a cult-like organization operating as a hivemind. He starts experiencing unsettling visions and hallucinations, blurring the lines between reality and delusion. Desperate for answers, Peter seeks help from his old friend Johannes, a former student of a mysterious guru. Johannes warns Peter about the dangers of "projectionists" - individuals who can manipulate others' perceptions of reality. Peter begins to suspect that the Mosterds are trying to harm him, and on a hiking trip with his "beloved" family, he eventually finds himself caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse. At first, they try to draw him into their cabalistic fold and Peter discovers that the Mosterds are involved in sinister rituals, sometimes involving incest. When The Mosterds efforts fail to recruit Peter, he flees. Seeing their efforts have failed, The Mosterds realize they have to kill Peter. Driven by fear and a desperate need for survival with The Mosterds in pursuit, Peter fights back. He uses his wits and ingenuity to outmaneuver his family, leading to a violent and chaotic confrontation leading to The Mosterds deaths. The story ends with Peter starting a new life, haunted by his past but determined to move forward. Having inherited and with money to burn, he buys a spot into the hivemind which he has since learned is a branch of the Illuminati, determined to get a peek behind the scenes. However, the final scene is an unwelcome visit from his niece, Mariaan, almost full-term, who he thought dead, badly scarred after their last confrontation in which her mother and father died. She's not happy.